Mike Thompson: “Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about strengthening Social Security, we can't stop at incremental fixes. We must also…”

“Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about strengthening Social Security, we can't stop at incremental fixes. We must also protect the program from efforts that would weaken this great program. We have heard calls for so-called reforms or tough choices. Let's be clear about what that means: cutting benefits, raising retirement age, or moving toward privatization--steps that undermine the guaranteed security Americans rely on. Democrats reject that approach. We believe Social Security is a promise, not a bargaining chip. Today, we have an opportunity to do something constructive. The Clergy Act is a practical, bipartisan step that expands access to Social Security and strengthens retirement security for those who serve our communities every day. We can choose to build on what works, or we can risk it. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Let's build on what works. This is important legislation. It will help the people that we represent and the people that our colleagues represent across this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.”