Rep. Cartwright vows to protect Social Security at Scranton event

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Aug. 16—SCRANTON — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright on Monday said for generations, Social Security has been a sacred promise to workers who have earned their retirement through decades of hard work.

"I know how much our seniors and their families rely on this program, which is why I am committed to protecting Social Security," said Cartwright, D-Moosic.

Cartwright commemorated the 87th Anniversary of Social Security at United Neighborhood Center's Oppenheim Healthy Aging Campus in West Scranton.

Speaking to a crowd of 50 seniors, Cartwright vowed to protect social security in the face of threats from Republicans who he said plan to end Social Security in five years.

Cartwright also spoke about the Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 5723) — legislation he co-sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 200 of his fellow House Members joining him in the effort.

Cartwright said the Social Security 2100 Act provides a benefit bump to current and new beneficiaries to make up for inadequate, long-overdue Cost-of-Living-Adjustments that haven't been updated since 1972.

This new legislation will also protect low-income workers by setting the new minimum benefit at 25 percent above the poverty line and would tie it to increases in wage levels nationwide to ensure the minimum benefit does not fall behind.

Social Security 2100 also adds a caregiver credit so that people — disproportionately women — who take time out of the workforce to care for children or other loved ones aren't penalized when the time comes to retire.

Other highlights of the Social Security 2100 Act include:

—Repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset that currently reduces Social Security benefits for public servants, including teachers.

—Improving Social Security benefits for widows and widowers in two income households so they are not penalized for having two incomes.

—Ending the five-month waiting period for disability benefits to kick in so those diagnosed with severe disabilities, such as terminal cancer, no longer have to wait.

—Increasing access to Social Security dependent benefits for children who live with their grandparents or other relatives.

Cartwright said these Social Security enhancements, as well as several others, are fully paid for by the proposed act. High income Americans currently stop paying into Social Security after their first $147,000 of annual income. Social Security 2100 would require them to pay the same rates on their very high incomes.

"I have noted with dismay that protecting and expanding Social Security has become a partisan issue," Cartwright said. "Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla) has actually proposed a five-year 'sunset' for both Social Security and Medicare, which could kill both programs. That's a foolish and dangerous idea."

Cartwright said Social Security needs to be strengthened, which is why said he is leading a group of members of Congress who are calling for a House floor vote on the 2100 Act.

"I'd love to help deliver a victory for the American people, and my hope is that it can be bipartisan," Cartwright said. "It's time to vote for a plan to bolster Social Security."

Social Security was established on Aug. 14, 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. This provided for a new federally administered insurance program for the elderly.

It started off as old-age insurance for individuals, but has grown into a cornerstone of American life, providing comprehensive benefits for retirees and persons with disabilities and their families.

Cartwright is a member of the House Democratic Leadership team and serves as Chairman of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee.

He represents Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, which includes Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties and portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.