John Shaw: “Mr. Speaker, on Mother's Day the Nation honored the love and daily sacrifices of our mothers in raising us and…”

“Mr. Speaker, on Mother's Day the Nation honored the love and daily sacrifices of our mothers in raising us and unstintingly giving of themselves both in the workforce and at home. Not just our mothers, but all women play an essential role in advancing our Nation's economic success and the American spirit, which is why it is so important to take the steps we can to enhance the Social Security benefits that are so crucial to women's retirement income security. Many of the changes in the Social Security program over time were specifically designed to help women, such as the addition of the wives' and widows' benefits in 1939, mothers' benefits in 1950, divorced women's benefits in 1965, and disabled widows' benefits in 1967. By providing spouse and survivor benefits, lifetime inflation-adjusted benefits, and a progressive benefit formula, Social Security helps keep millions of women out of poverty today. Although we face significant choices ahead in strengthening Social Security's financing for future generations, both Republicans and Democrats agree we must continue to enhance Social Security for women.”