Congressman Cohen Celebrates 81st Anniversary of Social Security
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Social Security, which was signed into law on August 14, 1935:
“Social Security is more than just a retirement program – it is a lifeline that keeps millions of Americans out of poverty. More than 110,000 citizens of the Ninth District rely on Social Security to help pay for basic necessities like food, healthcare and housing.
Even as we celebrate the success of Social Security on this 81st anniversary, some in Congress still insist we must slash its benefits for millions of Americans who need it. I am fighting against these unnecessary and irresponsible policies, and am proud to support legislation that would expand Social Security, increase benefits and better protect beneficiaries from rising inflation. I am a cosponsor of a piece of legislation to ensure millions of senior citizens receive the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) they deserve. The Seniors Deserve a Raise Act would tie future COLAs to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which weighs more heavily the items that senior citizens spend more of their money on. I am also working to implement policies that would help Social Security remain solvent for future generations, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that Americans who have paid into the program receive the benefits we have promised them.”