Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, as all Americans know, Social Security is the number one antipoverty program for the elderly of this country. Most people don't realize that it is also the number one antipoverty program for children in this country. What is further annoying to most Americans is that it has been 54 years since Congress, who has the responsibility for doing so, has enhanced Social Security benefits. This has a direct impact on every district in the country. In the Speaker's district, there are over 174,000 Social Security recipients, and 142,000 of them are retirees; 13,000-plus are disabled workers; 7,000-plus are widows; 3,000 are spouses; and over 7,000 are children. Mr. Speaker, what most Members don't realize is the direct economic impact and economic development impact that this has on their district. For example, the Speaker's district receives $353 million monthly for those 174,000 recipients. Where do they spend that money, Mr. Speaker? They spend it right back in the districts where they live. Nobody gets wealthy on Social Security, but it has been the mainstay to keep people out of poverty, both the elderly and children alike. Congress has not taken any action to enhance those benefits since 1971.…”