"I would like to begin, first, by acknowledging something the chairman said, that we are looking at somewhere around 2036 before Social Security will face a situation where it doesn't go broke."
"I think you have made that very clear, Mr. Chairman."
"These earned benefits would be taken directly from beneficiaries."
"Social Security is a sacred compact between Americans of all generations. It ensures that billions of retirees, disabled workers, and children can live a life of dignity."
"The most immediate dangers to Social Security are the reckless cuts to its operating budget that put at risk its ability to deliver earned benefits on time in the right amount."
"Social Security has never once failed to pay earned benefits on time and in full, even through 13 recessions."
"The U.S. Treasury bonds in Social Security's Trust Fund are real, and the trust fund is $2.7 trillion strong."
"Social Security has weathered 13 recessions in the last 75 years, and never once--let me repeat--never once failed to pay, on time and in full, every retiree, widow, child, or disabled worker the bene..."
"American workers, through their tax contributions, through their paychecks, have contributed $13.9 trillion straight out of their pocket into the system."
"Social Security is not broke. The trustees report for 2011 shows that Social Security is once again the reliable workhorse in our economy."
"Let me see if I can dissuade you that the Social Security program is broke."