Jim Ramstad: “I rise today to join many of our colleagues in calling for the repeal of the unfair Social Security earnings test. Our…”

“I rise today to join many of our colleagues in calling for the repeal of the unfair Social Security earnings test. Our Nation's older workers should not be penalized for remaining vital participants in the work force. But that is exactly what the earnings test does. Not only does it penalize older workers, but it's also bad economic policy. These experienced workers have a lot to offer our economy. But they are effectively driven out of the labor market because there is so little incentive to remain in the workforce. In fact, it has been estimated that repealing the earnings test would raise the gross national product in our country by $15.4 billion. Many of these seniors are working not only because they want to, but because they must. The earnings test forces many capable seniors to rely solely on Social Security, rather than supplement their income by continuing to work. I encourage all of my colleagues to consider these facts and sign the discharge petition to repeal the earnings test. Madam Speaker, let us free our Nation's seniors from this antiquated, Depression-era policy. Let us bring fairness to our seniors.”