Tom Harkin: “I noticed my friends on the other side going after the Social Security trust funds. The Senator from Minnesota, Mr.…”

“I noticed my friends on the other side going after the Social Security trust funds. The Senator from Minnesota, Mr. Grams, had an amendment to put money into the Social Security trust fund, and they all voted for it. So much for being consistent around here. Quite frankly, I listen to the arguments on the other side, and I think my friends from the other side want to privatize Social Security. On top of that, they want to say you do not get Social Security until you are 70. They want to raise the retirement age. Don't let all that fog over there cloud what we are trying to do. We are trying to change the motherhood penalty so women are not penalized raising children and getting Social Security. Secondly, our amendment says widows ought to get at least 75 percent of their spousal benefit, rather than the 50 to 60 percent now. Lastly, when we pay down the national debt, you are right, take the savings from that and stick it into Social Security so that money will be there for future generations.”