One of my main focuses in Congress is protecting, preserving, and reforming Social Security. Social Security provides critical benefits to more than 58 million Americans, including widows and those with disabilities. It is a critical foundation of income for retired and disabled workers – nearly two-thirds of the elderly get at least half of their income from Social Security. One in five elderly Americans has no income other than Social Security. Social Security must be preserved and protected for current and near retirees. We must preserve the Social Security safety net and make sure it remains solvent for future generations.

Though long foreseen, a “perfect storm” has emerged over the years that threatens the solvency of not only the Social Security system, but the federal government in general. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), about 47 cents of every federal dollar spent went to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and interest on the federal debt. Absent action, Social Security – along with these other programs – will soon grow to consume every dollar of revenue that the government raises in taxes. At that point, we will be left with no good options.

Today, we are witnessing health care costs skyrocketing, people are living longer, and the “baby boomers” are beginning to retire.  Bottom line is: the government is running out of money, and unless some reforms are made, Social Security will eventually go bankrupt. In order to preserve the program, we must enact responsible reforms sooner rather than later. I believe it is crucial for Congress to examine ways to provide long-term solutions for the problems that currently plague the system. Social Security needs to be reformed to address its deficits. I believe that seniors must receive the benefits they have been promised and have planned for during their working years. Congress should work to preserve the benefits that those at or near retirement have planned their lives around, while also guaranteeing that future generations have the ability to plan for their eventual retirements.

That said, you may be interested to know that I have co-sponsored the following pieces of legislation:

• H.R. 1361, introduced by Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY), to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the non-application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation which will secure the essential specialized power wheelchairs and accessories those with disabilities and their families rely on.
• H.R. 2663, introduced by Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-TX), to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make changes to documentation of eligibility for Medicare home health services. I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation which will address the overwhelming backlog of the approximately 25,000 appealed home health claims.