Social Security and Retirement

Protect Social Security. The Republicans in Congress have tried to divert funds from Social Security savings to pay for their record deficits, privatize Social Security funds and expose our seniors' savings to the risks of market fluctuations and corporate control, and scare the American people into thinking that Social Security is not a viable solution for our senior citizens. These reprehensible attempts to deceive the American people must not succeed, as Social Security is the American people's treasured safety net that has brought thousands of people out of poverty and continues to demonstrate its necessity 70 years after its inception. As a United States Congressman, I will battle privatization and fight for Social Security's long-term viability so that our senior citizens of today and future generations can reap the benefits of a life-long contribution to American society.

Safeguard pensions. We must protect all pensions so Americans can retire with dignity. A majority of the American workforce is covered by employer-based retirement plans. While pensions are critical to the financial security of retired Americans, there are many low and even moderate income workers who do not have a structured retirement savings plan. I support measures to encourage the creation and expansion of defined benefit plans. I also support efforts to ensure that workers are the first creditors to receive compensation when companies declare bankruptcy or are otherwise forced out of business.