Political Quotes

“I rise today to give my enthusiastic support to this legislation which will establish the Social Security Administration as an independent agency. I have long been a supporter of this effort. And I am glad to see its time has finally come. As an independent agency, the Social Security Administration would have three advantages over the current structure: greater stature within the executive branch; greater control over procurement and personnel practices; and as an independent agency, a stronger voice in its policy decisions. An independent agency would also allow the agency head a more direct link to the President. He or she would be better able to present its needs during policy deliberations within the administration. Since 1935, the Social Security Administration has grown to be the largest domestic program of the Federal Government. It represents over 20 percent of Federal spending. And it is the ninth largest agency in the Federal Government with an annual budget of over $300 billion. I take a very special interest in SSA. The Social Security Administration's employees make up more than 50 percent of the Department of Health and Human Services. It employs 64,000 people--13,400 are at the headquarters in Maryland alone. This means that one out of every five Social Security employees works in Maryland. SSA has a special mission of caring for and helping people. It is the jewel in the crown of our domestic programs.”