John Larson

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, we have 20 minutes remaining, and we have about 12 people who are sitting here, so I hope our colleagues are mindful of that. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), who has more than 98,000 Social Security recipients in her district who receive more than $143 million monthly in that district, as we indicated just how vitally important Social Security is as an economic development plan as well.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I thank the gentlewoman for her continued input and support over the last several decades. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Cartwright), who has been key as an original cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act and also for his passion about the people in his district who are in such need of Social Security to make sure that it is there today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Sure.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, for 40 percent of all Americans on Social Security the only benefit that they receive is Social Security, and that is why the gentleman's point is so well taken. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, first I would appeal to your great instincts and patience and thank you for this hour, but we actually have colleagues, at least four, that are here. Over 30 showed up. Would it be possible to yield them a minute apiece? I would make a motion to extend the time period to provide our colleagues a minute apiece.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Yes.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I move for a 1-minute speech from the remaining four Members.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the mayor of Windsor, Connecticut, Don Trinks, a dear friend and person who served in the capacity of mayor for 22 years, and a public servant in Windsor for nearly three decades, as well. He is a lifelong resident in what he would claim is the oldest community in the State of Connecticut, the town of Windsor. It may be disputed by some in Wethersfield, but that is what Don would claim, and that is where he met his wife, Barbara, in high school. They went on to get married, and he went on along with Barbara to be the go-to people in the community of Windsor. Now, he also happens to run and manage, and probably is well known for running Bart's, which is second only to Augie & Ray's in East Hartford as the greatest hot dog you can receive in the State of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, Don's commitment to the community of Windsor is unsurpassed. In political office, Don always sought to bring people together. He has the right temperament for public service and the ability to bring people together, as he did time and again, and why he was so successful at getting more than $3 million to revitalize downtown Windsor. I was always happy to work alongside of him. It has been his leadership throughout his career, his temerity, especially during difficult times and especially during COVID, where he was one of those chief elected officials who led by example, especially for small businesses, of which he was very much one of them. He was also a devoted fan of Social Security, and we had an opportunity to work on that and visit many senior centers. Madam Speaker, I am proud to submit for the Record a tribute to Don Trinks, the mayor of Windsor for 22 years. I commend Congresswoman Julia Letlow who came before the Committee on Ways and Means last week to discuss her concerns about WEP and GPO and Social Security. I look forward to working with her. I think there is an opportunity here, Madam Speaker, to recognize with more than 10,000 baby boomers a day becoming eligible for Social Security, with almost 70 million people who are currently receiving Social Security, and with more than 40 percent of them Social Security being their only form of retirement and pension, it is long overdue for the United States Congress to act. It has been 52 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security. Madam Speaker, more than 5 million of our fellow Americans get below- poverty level checks from the government, and, of them, the majority are women, because they were the care providers and were at home with their children or caring for someone that was sick, and also because when they were in the workforce they weren't making as much as their male counterparts. There is no rational reason why these people in the wealthiest Nation in the world, who have worked all their lives and paid into the system, gets below-poverty level checks, except for the fact that the United States Congress hasn't taken any action to correct this. It is long overdue. With people like Julia coming in, Mr. Speaker, I know that there is a great opportunity for us to come together and succeed and make sure that all Americans know that Social Security is there for them. This is not the time to talk about cutting their benefits. This is the time to talk about extending their benefits. Yes, it is true that people are living longer, but for every year you raise the age of Social Security, that is a 7 percent cut. What sense does it make if you are living longer that you receive less Social Security money to live on? Of course, it does not.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to welcome everyone back to Congress, where hopefully we will get something done. There was an ominous note sent by the Speaker earlier in a press conference that there will be an impeachment proceeding, an inquiry. I don't think that is what the American people are ready for back home. They also said that they are here to shut down government. We need to shut down government? What the American people need is what everyone gave speeches about yesterday, talking about how after September 11 we all came together as a country and focused on what needs to be done. I have a great suggestion for you. How about we fix Social Security for the Americans that need it. We talk to the veterans and we talk to all the individuals who were first responders and tell them how much we appreciate what they do, but then we never vote that way in Congress. It has been 52 years since Congress has done anything to enhance Social Security. It has been 52 years and no action. How about we do something unique in this body and get a vote on Social Security. Every Member has a Social Security card. You know exactly how many of your constituents receive a Social Security check, something that is an earned benefit, something that they have paid for and worked all their lives. Yet, we are content here in this body to let 5 million fellow Americans in all your districts, 5 million Americans get a below- poverty level check from the Federal Government when what they need is subsistence to survive. How about we get together as a body and come together and enhance the greatest insurance program in the Nation's history, the number one anti-poverty program for the elderly, and the number one anti-poverty for children. There are 10,000 baby boomers a day--if you are out there, baby boomers, call your Members and ask them to take a vote on Social Security. Look at your pay stub. It says FICA, Federal Insurance Contributions. Whose? Yours. And this Congress hasn't done anything for 52 years. It is long overdue. Think of this as an economic development. If you think this is socialism, think about all the constituents in your district that are going to get a paycheck. Think about the economic activity. Where do they spend that money? Right back in your district. They need your help. The Nation needs your help. We need to come together and unite and enhance Social Security, not just protect it, not cut it, as some have suggested, but to actually protect and expand the Nation's number one program that helps the elderly and helps our children of this great country of ours.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, but first, before I begin, I want to associate myself with the remarks of Reverend Green. It is always great to be in the presence of someone who has performed so extraordinarily well and is indeed a great American. I congratulate, Joyce. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the 88th birthday of Social Security, which will take place on August 14. We are calling upon Members all across this Nation joined by great groups like the National Committee to Preserve and Protect Social Security, Social Security Works, the AFL-CIO, and the list goes on, to please save the date as a date of action. It is a date of action because Congress hasn't taken any action. It might interest people in the gallery to know that Congress hasn't done anything to enhance Social Security in more than 52 years. We found ourselves in the midst of a pandemic, a pandemic that in this country has impacted people over the age of 65 more severely than any other group. Slightly over a million people have perished. Over 856,000 were over the age of 65. Those same individuals are the ones that because of global inflation have found themselves in the situation, as people on fixed incomes often do, where they are most severely hurt. As Reverend King would say, ``the fierce urgency of now'' is upon the United States Congress. What are we asking the United States Congress to do? Vote. How hard is that? Whether it is in the United States Senate or whether it is in the House of Representatives, everybody claims how much they respect and love and admire Social Security. If that is true, then why don't we vote on it? It hasn't been enhanced in 52 years. The last time something was done was in 1983. Ronald Reagan was President, Bob Dole ran the United States Senate, and Tip O'Neill was Speaker of the House. They extended Social Security at that time, its solvency, but they didn't do anything to enhance the program. I dare say that things have changed a lot since Richard Nixon was President in terms of the cost of procuring goods and services in this country, and yet we have not done anything as a Congress to enhance the benefit of the more than 66 million people who are on Social Security. That number will exceed 70 million within a year and a half. Mr. Speaker, that is 70 million of our fellow Americans. Here is the real deal: 5 million of them get below-poverty level checks from the government. After having worked all their lives, paid into a system to get an earned benefit, they find themselves getting a below-poverty level check because the United States Congress has not acted on their behalf. Mr. Speaker, 23 million of our fellow Americans get taxed on their work in their job for what they are doing, and they shouldn't be. That tax should be eliminated. There needs to be an across-the-board increase for all Social Security recipients. That is why we call attention to this day of action. The day of action that is needed most, though, is by the United States Congress and for us to act in a bipartisan manner across the board and make sure that the people are getting the benefits that they have richly earned. Mr. Speaker, 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and still Congress does not act. America needs to rise up and prevail upon their Members of Congress to act, and by act, I mean vote--vote to bring Social Security 2100 to the floor for a vote and vote in the Senate to bring those bills forward. Mr. Speaker, if you have a better idea, if you have a better plan, then lay it out there for the public to see, but for God's sake, vote on it for the sake of the American people. The American people deserve more from their Congress than lip service. They need action.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my colleagues. I was fortunate to hear the ``deaness'' of our delegation speak earlier. I am not very good at farewells or good-byes. I am far better at hellos. We could never say goodbye to such an engaging, compassionate and caring individual, which is reflected in the legislation that he has put forward, reflected in the way that he has represented the people of Rhode Island, how he has engaged himself on this floor with individual Members, what he has done time and again, leading with his heart, but using that great brain power and strategy to get things done on behalf of people. I know it has been mentioned about our beloved colleague, John Lewis, and staging that sit-in here on the floor, but I believe that that is something that everyone who was serving here at the time will never forget. Again, it was his leadership, it was his compassion, and it was his heart. He is a man amongst men who demonstrates that daily. I love and respect him. I will miss him but not for long, because we will always be together. By now, I think just about the whole Congress is headed to Rhode Island for a drink at Clem's. I thank him so much for his service. I thank him so much for his commitment to the people of Rhode Island. The country is better off because David Cicilline has served and represented the people of Rhode Island here in the people's Chamber. General Leave

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Chamber for 5 minutes and to talk about what political scientists are calling a polycrisis. A polycrisis is multiple events that have happened globally that have an enormous impact not only on the world but here. I am going to focus on just three of them right now: the pandemic that we are currently going through, Mr. Speaker, which has been extraordinary, as well as the supply chain issues that have happened; a global pandemic creating global supply chain issues, which led to ensuing global inflation; and in the midst of that, the Ukraine war, which has become a global war, again, impacting supply chain and other issues. Who in the United States of America has this impacted the most? In our country, this pandemic has impacted the elderly. Of the 1.2 million people who have passed away, over 850,000 were over the age of 65. With regard to inflation, the group that is hurt most by inflation are people on fixed incomes, and that would be close to 70 million Social Security recipients here in this Nation. We have a crisis in this country: a pension crisis and a crisis that Congress has neglected for more than 52 years. 1971 was the last time that Congress did anything to enhance Social Security benefits. A gallon of milk was 72 cents at that time. A lot has changed since 1971, but what hasn't changed is Congress' recalcitrance to address the needs of our seniors. Social Security is the number one antipoverty program for seniors and the number one antipoverty program for children, yet there are 5 million Americans currently who get below-poverty-level checks from the Federal Government after having paid all of their lives into the system. The only reason that is so is because Congress hasn't acted. It is long overdue for Congress to act. We have legislation that we will be introducing in the Ways and Means Committee that will enhance Social Security with across-the-board increases for everyone to lift people out of poverty and provide every single district with economic recovery. Why? It is because, on average, there are 145,000 people per congressional district who are on Social Security, and that money is spent right back in that congressional district. People are not buying back stock options with their Social Security checks. They are spending it at the grocery store. They are spending it on rent. They are spending it on prescription drugs. That is what is needed. It is long overdue for Congress to act. It is not simply a question of protecting or saving Social Security. It is doing something to end this crisis in the midst of the worst pandemic, in the midst of inflation, and in the midst of a supply chain issue to make sure that our elderly and our people are being protected.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the polycrisis, the new term of art that people are using to describe what has happened globally in terms of a global pandemic, followed by global supply chain issues, followed by global inflation, and is underscored by the war in Ukraine, that has created incredible havoc here in this country. Of course, the group that is impacted the most are people over the age of 65 here in the United States. With slightly over 1 million people who have succumbed to the pandemic, 850,000-plus have been over the age of 65. The same group, Mr. Speaker, is impacted by inflation. Inflation hurts people on fixed incomes the most. Those are people on Social Security, people who are Social Security recipients. Here in this Chamber, we play games. We are in the midst of signing a discharge petition to make sure that we lift the debt limit. Mr. Speaker, we did that three times under the Trump administration without angst or fanfare. Yet here, for the group that is most impacted by this polycrisis, this global crisis, this is all while China and Russia are looking on and cheering this side of the aisle for their efforts to default on the full faith and credit of the United States, who will that hurt the most again? That will hurt people over the age of 65, the people who are on Social Security and Medicare, and veterans who won't be able to get their checks. Why? To make a political point? This is the United States of America. We need to stand up and do the right thing for the American people, and that starts with taking care of our own. It has been more than 52 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security, and this pandemic and this ensuing inflation have hurt this group the most. There are more than 5 million of our fellow Americans who get below- poverty-level checks from their government for Social Security. It is something they have paid into all of their lives. Contrary to the belief on the other side, this is not an entitlement. This is an earned benefit. This is what people have paid for. Mr. Speaker, 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and Congress twiddles and diddles here. We need to pass an enhanced Social Security bill now. As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, it is the fierce urgency of now. These people need this relief today. This is not the time for political gamesmanship. Now is the time to act. I implore my colleagues on the other side: Don't be frozen in the ice of your own indifference toward the people of this Nation who need this help and relief and need it now. Let's come together as a body and do what President Reagan did, do what President Eisenhower did, and do what President Nixon did, and come together and enhance Social Security on behalf of the citizens of this country.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the body on what has become a new term of art in politics called a polycrisis. A polycrisis is when extraordinary events are taking place around the world, of which we are all too familiar with, including a global pandemic that has set off global supply chain issues and that have set off global inflation that impacts everybody around the globe. All of which have been compounded by the war in Ukraine and all the disruption that that has caused. In the midst of this polycrisis, who has been impacted the most in this country by both the pandemic and inflation? People impacted the most by the pandemic are people over the age of 65. Of roughly the more than 1.2 million Americans who have succumbed to the pandemic, over 850,000, Madam Speaker, are over the age of 65. The people who are most impacted by inflation are people on a fixed income, and they tend to be people over the age of 65 because they are the people on Social Security, which means that some 66-plus million Americans are impacted by both the pandemic and inflation, and Congress needs to act. What we need to do most of all is put the debt ceiling issue behind us. To play chicken with people's lives with Social Security checks on the line, to default on the American dollar, is criminal. These are probably unintended by the other side of the aisle, but nonetheless, the direct result of a gamble that makes no sense. Who is looking in during this polycrisis but our competitors around the world, most notably, China and Russia, who would love to see the value of the dollar and the standing of the United States shaken. Oddly and ironically enough, this is not happening by any of these events abroad but happening right here in this Chamber by the failure of Congress to lift the debt ceiling, something that was done three times during the Trump administration. Yet, in the face of this pending crisis, with our seniors, the most vulnerable amongst us, facing excruciating circumstances, we continue to dither here. Put the debt ceiling on the floor, vote on it, and lift it so we can get on with sending relief to the American people. Congress should be embarrassed by its negligence. It has been more than 52 years since Congress has enhanced benefits for Social Security. How can people go home and look at their friends, their neighbors, their parents, their brothers and sisters in the eye and tell them that we have done nothing for 52 years? Do you think that things have changed since 1971, that prices might have gone up? Certainly, they have. It is long overdue for Congress not simply to protect Social Security, but to enhance it during this polycrisis, during this epidemic, during this time of inflation, for the most vulnerable among us. Social Security is the number one antipoverty program for the elderly. It is also the number one antipoverty program for children, and it also happens to be the best economic development program for every single congressional district. An average of 145,000 people per congressional district depend on Social Security and receive those checks. Where do they spend that money? Right back in the district. The time to act is now.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed the vote on H. Con. Res. 21. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 136.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to one of Connecticut's First District's foremost public servants, State Senator Steve Cassano. At the beginning of this year, Senator Cassano retired after a prolific four-decade career--serving as Mayor of Manchester for 14 years and in the Connecticut State Senate for more than a decade. He was a fierce advocate for regional cooperation--helming the influential Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and the Capitol Region Council of Governments at various times. Steve understood that our communities are stronger when we work together, and that our region needs a forward-looking plan for the future that serves all residents. I had the pleasure of working closely with Senator Cassano in each of his roles over the years. As Mayor, Steve led the Town of Manchester as it transitioned from a mill town to a local hub for business and a retail destination of the Capital Region. In the State Senate, he led efforts for Connecticut to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the costliest hurricane to ever hit New England. He capped off a storied career in government with what Steve called his proudest accomplishment--passing historic legislation to ensure adopted children could access their birth records. I extend my congratulations to Steve Cassano on a career that served our state and region for the better and I commend and thank him for his service.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, due to family medical leave, I was not in Washington, D.C. on February 6 through February 9. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 107; NAY on Roll Call No. 108; NAY on Roll Call No. 109; YEA on Roll Call No. 110; YEA on Roll Call No. 111; YEA on Roll Call No. 112; YEA on Roll Call No. 113; YEA on Roll Call No. 114; YEA on Roll Call No. 115; NAY on Roll Call No. 116; YEA on Roll Call No. 117; NAY on Roll Call No. 118; and NAY on Roll Call No. 119.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. Madam Speaker, first and foremost, today should be a day of celebration. Madam Speaker, 83 years ago today, Ida Mae Fuller received the first Social Security check. It is the Nation's number one insurance program. It is the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly. It is also the Nation's number one program to help children out of poverty, as well as the number one disability program, especially for veterans and those who utilize Social Security, even more so than the VA. Looking at this proposal today, I commend the chairman for the Committee on Rules for having come up and situated because of everything we have heard from the other side. Imagine, holding the American economy hostage so you can make cuts to Social Security and Medicare, the bedrock insurance policy for the Nation; something that impacts your brothers, your sisters, your family members, people you go to church with, people you work with on a daily basis. You have proposed both, in your study group analysis a 21 percent across-the-board cut to Social Security. That is what has got our attention. In the midst of all of this, and especially amidst this pandemic, this global pandemic where more than 1 million people have perished here in the United States, over 756,000 are over the age of 65. There are 66 million Social Security recipients. They are predominantly on fixed incomes and impacted the most by this pandemic and the most by inflation. So to call for 21 percent across-the-board cuts and to hold hostage the American economy is beyond the pale. I hope all of our citizens are aware of this. We are going to continue to make everyone around the country aware of what is going to happen and the attempt to cut Social Security and Medicare. That is what this is about, Madam Speaker. That is why I rise on this floor today. Madam Speaker, there are 10,000 baby boomers a day who become eligible for Social Security. And Congress has done nothing to enhance Social Security in more than 51 years.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the passion on this other side. I think this passion and engagement has to be brought forward to the Nation's number one insurance program. It is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit, and the citizens of this country know it.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, Ronald Reagan was prescient in his description of Congress, especially as Congress addresses issues, most specifically, the debt ceiling. Here is what Ronald Reagan had to say about Congress: Congress consistently brings government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Let me repeat that: those who rely on Social Security, you could add Medicare and veterans benefits. That is what is at stake here. Reagan went on to say: Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in the financial markets, and the Federal deficit would soar. Why, then, would our colleagues on the other side of the aisle hold the American economy hostage? In their own words: so they can cut Social Security and Medicare. They call these programs entitlements. For all of those listening to this, make sure you call your Member of Congress, and let them know that Social Security is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit. It is something that people pay for weekly, biweekly, or monthly. How do they know? How do we trust and verify this? All you have to do, Madam Speaker, is go to your pay stub. It says: FICA. That stands for Federal Insurance Contribution. That is Federal Insurance Contribution. Whose? Yours--the more than 66 million Americans who contribute to this program. It is an earned benefit. It is not an entitlement. They clearly are entitled to their Social Security. But here we have the ruse of the year. We are going to hold the American economy hostage so that we can make cuts to a program that Congress hasn't enhanced in more than 52 years on our watch--ours being every Member of Congress. We cannot let this persist. Fortunately, because of hard work in the past, seniors are receiving a COLA this year because of COVID. But it has not been reformed, it is not permanent, and there hasn't been a benefit enhancement in 52 years. In 1971, a loaf of bread cost 72 cents. I don't have to go through the litany of how costs have risen. With 10,000 baby boomers a day becoming eligible for Social Security, this is not the time to cut the program. This is a time to enhance the program so that all of our seniors--especially those who were hit hardest by the epidemic. How do we know this? Of the more than 1 million people who passed away from the pandemic, over 750,000 are over the age of 65. And who is impacted most by inflation? Those people who are on a fixed income, and by definition, those on Social Security are on a fixed income and need our help the most during this time of inflation. It impacts every single district in this country. On average, there are 147,000 Social Security recipients in every congressional district, and to deny them the enhancements that they need during this inflationary time and during a time period when Congress has not enhanced the program in more than 52 years is long overdue.