Larson Statement on H.R. 82 and H.R. 5342

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the House voted on two Social-Security related bills, H.R. 82and H.R. 5342.

"While I am glad to see the House take up the issue of Social Security, we need to take comprehensive action to enhance benefits and extend the program's solvency, something the United States Congress has not done in more than 50 years," said Larson. "I want to commend Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Garret Graves for their bipartisan work to repeal the WEP and GPO, unfair provisions that penalize public servants, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. I am proud to join them in the fight to repeal these unjust provisions, but it must be responsibly paid for to prevent automatic benefit cuts down the road. I could not vote for the bills on the Floor tonight because they are not paid for and therefore put Americans' hard-earned benefits at risk. It would hurt most deeply the five million of our fellow Americans who receive below poverty checks, and almost half of all Social Security recipients who rely on their earned benefits for the majority of their income. Who speaks for them? I felt it was my duty to protect the benefits of our some of our most vulnerable. Along with nearly 200 House Democrats, I introduced the Social Security 2100 Act to enhance benefits, cut taxes for seniors, and repeal the WEP/GPO, but paying for it by ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share into the program like everyday Americans. I will continue to fight for the Americans in need of relief who have been unfairly penalized for their decades of public service due to the WEP and the GPO. We know there is broad consensus of the need to act on Social Security and correct these unjust provisions, but we must pay for it!"