Intro: "A major bloc of 29 senators took a strong stand today against any cuts to Social Security as part of a deficit reduction deal."

29 Senators have signed a letter stating that Social Security should not be part of the deficit reduction package. (photo: public domain)

29 Senators: Hands Off Social Security

By Bernie Sanders, Reader Supported News

20 September 12

major bloc of 29 senators took a strong stand today against any cuts to Social Security as part of a deficit reduction deal.

"We will oppose including Social Security cuts for future or current beneficiaries in any deficit reduction package," the senators said in a letter circulated by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the founder of the Senate Defending Social Security Caucus.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate's No. 3 leader, signed the letter. So did Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.), who joined Sanders at a Capitol news conference.

Other senators who signed the letter are Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.).

Social Security has not contributed to the deficit or to the national debt, the senators said. The program that benefits more than 50 million retirees, widows, widowers, orphans and disabled Americans has a $2.7 trillion surplus and, according to actuaries, will be able to pay every benefit owed to every eligible recipient for the next 21 years.

"Contrary to some claims, Social Security is not the cause of our nation's deficit problem. Not only does the program operate independently, but it is prohibited from borrowing," the letter said.

"Even though Social Security operates in a fiscally responsible manner, some still advocate deep benefit cuts and seem convinced that Social Security hands out lavish welfare checks. But Social Security is not welfare. Seniors earned their benefits by working and paying into the system," the letter added.

Social Security has not contributed to deficits because it has a dedicated funding stream. Workers and employers each pay half of a 12.4 percent payroll tax on the first $110,100 of a worker's wages. The tax rate for employees was reduced to 4.2 percent in 2011 and 2012, but is scheduled to return to 6.2 percent in January.

Comments

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+52 # MEBrowning 2012-09-21 07:31

It's unconscionable that none of the senators who signed this letter are Republicans.

+38 # pbbrodie 2012-09-21 09:29

What is truly unconscionable is that ALL of the Democratic Senators did NOT sign this letter!!!

+20 # szq5777 2012-09-21 11:05

You are right pb, all of the Dems should have signed this letter. But my hats off to those who did. We need moore action like this! If you do not see your Senators name on the list please contact the office and tell him or her to please sign it.

+41 # Saberoff 2012-09-21 07:44

Hurray to these senators!

I understand that they are just doing their jobs but so many are not, doing their jobs.

Enough of the neo-fascists driving those groups (mentioned above) to early graves.

I love Bernie Sanders (Socialist) and may he live to be a thousand years old!

(And, is not Vermont on the verge of being the first state to enact single payer health care? this very day!)

+15 # MidwestDick 2012-09-21 09:35

Where are the rest of the Dems? If you are in state with a Democratic Senator who did not sign on, shoot him a line, give him a buzz and let him know that you'd like to see him on the cosigner's list.

+3 # CAMUS1111 2012-09-21 10:30

No disagreement with your post, but I had thought "MidwestTom" was the "midwest dick." My mistake.

-1 # Regina 2012-09-21 10:51

I am now harried!

+6 # MEBrowning 2012-09-21 12:50

Californians: Please email Senator Dianne Feinstein and urge her to sign the letter:

https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me

+6 # reiverpacific 2012-09-21 10:53

Not a Rethug amongst 'em and there are obviously not enough outraged and courageous Democrats on the list either.
I see that Ron Wyden, D-OR is on there but am surprised that our junior Senator Merkely isn't, as he's been talking about this at meetings and is generally more progressive than Wyden.
I'll be on his case as "MidwestDick" suggests.

+1 # suziemama 2012-09-21 20:23

Read the list again. I believe you'll find Merkely from Oregon there.

+9 # Eliza D 2012-09-21 12:55

I thank God for you, Senator Sanders, just about every day for being so courageous, diligent and clearheaded. May you live forever and inspire some of our other cowardly lions into acts of valor for their constituents. You have inspired me to fight against Monsanto and fracking.

+7 # Art947 2012-09-21 13:24

As a New Yorker, I am pleased to report that my Senators - Schumer and Gillibrand are signatories!

+4 # Suki715 2012-09-21 15:16

I am RN, BSN. I have worked for 40 years and have paid into Social Security, mandatory contributions without accumulating any interest. This is my money and I want it back! SHAME on the democrats do did not vote and did not expect much from Republicans! I suggest before you touch my money; figure out what I have contributed with interest on Social Security account for all these year and write me out a check before you mess with it! I also suggest that all politicians in office donate every paycheck they earn during their term into Social Security funds.

-1 # Suki715 2012-09-21 15:18

Why do you have to review? Is my freedom of speech right was also taken away?

+2 # independentmind 2012-09-21 18:50

Why do federal employees have a different system?

+6 # Anarchist 23 2012-09-21 19:18

It seems to me that since 'Gott Mitt Uns' Romney has declared that "Corporations are people, my freind' the main thing we could do is to raise the cap on income eligible to be taxed by social Security, consider taxing 'Mr.' Exon-Mobile's money-and all the other 'corporate persons' and make it all retroactive back to when social Security was founded and then..well we can give a whole lot of people a big raise from our increased moneys.

Yes, I am being facetious but it is not less ridiculous than what 'Gott Mitt Uns' and the Rethugs are saying seriously! And it is considerably more humane.

+4 # tigerlille 2012-09-21 22:26

Thank God there are still some decent human beings left amongst that disgusting swill on Capitol Hill.

0 # popeye47 2012-09-23 06:08

My eyesight must be bad. I didn't see any senators with a R beside their name on the list.

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