Peter Blute: “A plan unveiled recently by the Ways and Means Chairman would cut COLA's and raise taxes, yet again, on Social Security…”

“A plan unveiled recently by the Ways and Means Chairman would cut COLA's and raise taxes, yet again, on Social Security beneficiaries. Wringing more money from the Social Security system and stealing from the pocketbooks of senior citizens is not the way to attack our Federal deficit, and Members should reject such proposals out of hand. Instead, we should redouble our efforts to protect the Social Security system, and make sure that everyone who pays in will benefit from it when their time comes. Yesterday's approval by the Ways and Means Committee of a bill to make Social Security an independent agency is a step in the right direction. Separating Social Security will protect it from politics and budget cuts; it will make it more difficult for politicians to put their hands into funds which belong to seniors who have paid into the system their entire life. Let us have an administrator of Social Security who would have the ability to make tough, independent decisions--reducing fraud and inefficiency. This would make Social Security more secure in future years. I urge all of my colleagues to stand up for our seniors by voting to make Social Security an independent agency. Let us protect the sanctity of the Social Security system, and restore the trust of the American people.”