Tom Harkin actually said...

"I hope this committee will recognize that the retirement income deficit we are leaving for the Gen Xers is at least as serious as the burden of debt for our grandchildren."

"I am going to count on Senator Sanders to be one of our lead persons in our hearings going into next year."

"Each year of raising the retirement age is a 6.5 percent cut in benefits that are already very modest."

"The average benefit is about $14,000--less than a minimum wage income--and Social Security provides more than half the income for 55 percent of seniors."