Congressman Cleaver Sponsors Legislation to Protect Social Security, Increase Benefits for Seniors and Disabled Americans

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chair John B. Larson (D-CT), along with nearly 200 members of the House of Representatives, to introduce Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust. The legislation would increase Social Security benefits for seniors, protect benefits from a potential 20% cut in 2034, and is paid for by making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes.

"Social Security is a bedrock program for millions of seniors and disabled Americans throughout the United States, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives to introduce legislation that will ensure it remains that way for generations to come," said Congressman Cleaver. "This proposal will strengthen Social Security's financial future and give seniors a desperately needed boost to their benefits, ensuring that no one has to choose between paying for groceries or life-saving medications. I'm proud to join Chairman Larson to introduce this pivotal piece of legislation, and I look forward to the day I see it signed into law."

"Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust combines the best of the previous year's Social Security 2100 Act with President Biden's proposals to expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities - current benefits are not enough! 5 million seniors are living in poverty due to longstanding discrimination in the labor force that affects mostly people of color and women. These are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. For too long, Congress has forsaken its duty to enhance benefits. It's time that we act now," said House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson.

"In America, millions of Social Security beneficiaries are having to make the choice between food and medicine on a daily basis. This is unacceptable in the richest and greatest country in the world," said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. "Black American, Hispanic American and Asian American Social Security beneficiaries were disproportionately affected during the pandemic, exacerbating that inequality. A recent poll indicated that our nation's seniors voted in the last election with the hope and expectation of seeing improvements to the Social Security benefits they have earned. Voters will remember this when they vote. The Alliance of Retired Americans 100% supports Representative Larson's bill, 'Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.'"

"Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is pleased to support the Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, which would make significant improvements in the Social Security benefits that millions of veterans with disabilities and their families rely on," said Shaun Castle, Deputy Executive Director. "As a veterans service organization representing veterans with significant disabilities, PVA is keenly aware of the critical role Social Security plays in the lives of our members and their families and we urge swift action on this critical legislation."

"AFGE is proud to endorse the Social Security 2100 Sacred Trust Act and the many ways it both strengthens the program and expands benefits. We are particularly supportive of the bill's repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision which unfairly reduce earned benefits of public employees and their surviving spouses," said Everett Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees.

Specifically, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust would:

• Provide a benefit bump for current and new beneficiaries that is equivalent to roughly 2% of the average benefit;
• Protect against inflation by improving the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula to better reflect the costs incurred by seniors through adoption of a CPI-E formula, helping seniors who spend a greater portion of their income on health care and other necessities;
• Protect low-income workers by setting the new minimum benefit at 25% above the poverty line and tying it to wage levels to ensure the minimum benefit does not fall behind;
• Ensure millionaires and billionaires pay the same rate as everyone else by applying the payroll tax to wages above $400,000, which would only affect the top 0.4% of wage earners; and
• Extend the depletion date to 2038 and avoid the 20% cut to benefits that is estimated to occur 2034.

Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust is endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, Alliance for Retired Americans, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), NAACP, AFGE, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Organization for Women, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, and more.

Official text of Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

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