Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the pending issue of Social Security.

Madam Speaker, for you and the people in the audience, it might come as a shock that Social Security has not been adjusted in more than 54 years.

What do I mean by that? Some would argue that Social Security was adjusted in 1982 under Tip O'Neill, Ronald Reagan, and Bob Dole. Indeed, it was addressed, but Ronald Reagan wanted to privatize Social Security. Bob Dole, a Senate Republican, said no, that this is too important a program. They agreed that what they would do was to keep the program intact, under the assistance of Tip O'Neill, but they raised the age. That sounds like a reasonable compromise until you realize that for every year you raise the age, that is a 7 percent cut in benefits. In essence, back in 1982, there was a 14 percent cut in benefits.

Today, we have a comprehensive proposal with regard to Social Security to help everybody across the board, including a 2 percent overall increase in Social Security--again, something that hasn't been done since Richard Nixon was President of the United States.

We also want to make sure that no one receives a below-poverty-level check from Social Security. Currently, more than 5 million of our fellow Americans--most, Madam Speaker, you will find interesting, are women--primarily because they were the caregivers and providers at home and, when they were in the workforce, were making less than their male counterparts. No matter how you look at it, it is unfair and unjust.

Social Security is the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly, and it is also the number one antipoverty program for children.

Madam Speaker, more veterans rely on Social Security disability than they do the VA. Yet, Congress has not acted.

This is not anything that can be done through executive order or anything that is before the Supreme Court. What all Americans should be demanding is that their Congress not only pay attention but act.

Democrats have a proposal that does just that. It expands coverage across the board. It makes sure that no one can retire into poverty, like more than 5 million current Americans do. It also makes sure that we provide a cost-of-living increase that will benefit everybody.

Where do they spend that money, Madam Speaker? They spend it right back in the congressional districts where they live. They put it right back into buying groceries and going to the pharmacies; paying to heat and cool their homes; paying their rent, bills, mortgages; and putting gasoline into their automobiles. That all helps the American economy.

During this time of inflation, it is not understandable why a Republican-controlled House and Senate will not take up Social Security as the main issue facing the American people, including the best step forward during these times of inflation. Where do people spend that check: right back in the communities that they live in. That is the most important thing.

Madam Speaker, that is why I come to the floor today: to make sure that we are acting on Social Security and to make sure that all Americans understand how vital and important this is. We can no longer afford to kick this can down the road. Kicking the can down the road doesn't help anyone out in your district, in my district, and in the 435 districts across this Nation. Quite the contrary, it will help everyone out.

This is not about being a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent. This is about Americans, again, demonstrating the brilliance of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and what they had in mind to get us out of the Great Depression.

We are still hanging on from the recession of 2008 and 2009. If people say it can't happen again, they are wrong. It can.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) for yielding to me. Her work and effort are exemplary.

Here is the data, the facts, Mr. Speaker: Over 70 million of our fellow Americans rely on Social Security, and Social Security, throughout its history, has never missed a payment.

Today, it is even more crucial as 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and for more than 40 percent of all Social Security recipients, this is the only benefit that they have.

Representative Stansbury is part of legislation that seeks to expand benefits, not just protect Social Security. Congress hasn't acted on Social Security and its expansion since 1971. Richard Nixon was President of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, because of the initiative, energy, and enthusiasm of Members of Congress like Representative Stansbury, people in New Mexico and all across the country--Mr. Speaker, it might surprise even you, as well, to know how many people in your district are equally served. More than $300,000 comes in monthly to recipients in your district in the great State of Virginia, but that hasn't changed in over 54 years.

Now is the time to act. Now is the time to get behind Representative Stansbury's legislation that will be incorporated into the Committee on Ways and Means' configuration on Social Security that will benefit the people.

As Representative Stansbury has indicated, this is America's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and number one antipoverty program for children, and more veterans rely on Social Security disability than they do the VA.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Stansbury for her efforts and initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning, first and foremost, to pay tribute to Louise Kronholm.

Mr. Speaker, when you are in Congress, oftentimes you are unable to be home for wakes and funeral services. Louise Kronholm was the daughter of the legendary John Bailey. John Bailey was the chairman of the Democratic Party in Connecticut. He was the national chairman of the Democratic Party in 1960 when we elected the first Catholic President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

The Bailey and Kennedy families were extraordinarily close, and Barbara Kennelly, Louise's sister, was the Congresswoman from the First District in Connecticut whom I succeeded.

Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers are with them today as they mourn and bury their beloved Louise Kronholm, John Bailey's daughter and Barbara Kennelly's sister.

Recognizing Pratt & Whitney Aircraft

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to recognize Pratt & Whitney aircraft in my hometown of East Hartford, Connecticut.

July 22, 1925, yesterday, marked the 100th birthday and anniversary of Pratt & Whitney aircraft. Pratt & Whitney builds the most dependable engines. They have led the aerospace industry in this country and are the greatest manufacturing force in the world. They are located in East Hartford and in Middletown, Connecticut.

My father and mother both worked there. My mother worked there during the Second World War. She had just gotten out of high school. My mother was 17 years old. She had been in the National Honor Society, and was recruited by Pratt & Whitney to help take down the details, information, and categorizing of parts, et cetera, which was desperately needed.

My father went off to war, and when he came home, he worked there. My brothers have worked at Pratt & Whitney.

In 1925, East Hartford was an agricultural community, and overnight it became the leading manufacturer of airplanes and aircraft and now aerospace.

We salute Pratt & Whitney aircraft.

When my father would go to work, we would say: Dad, are you going to work?

He said: Yeah.

I said: What do you do?

He said: We keep the eagle flying.

The symbol of Pratt & Whitney aircraft is the bald eagle in flight, and underneath it, it says: ``Dependable engines.''

That was true in 1925, and it is true today.

I am proud to be part of the F-35 Caucus and to understand that not only is it important to America, but it is also important to our allies all across the globe who still depend on Pratt & Whitney and their production of the most dependable aircraft engines ever assembled.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the resolution introduced by Governor Lamont of the State of Connecticut recognizing this 100-year anniversary celebration of Pratt & Whitney aircraft.

Executive Proclamation

Whereas, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Pratt &

Whitney, founded in 1925 by Frederick Rentschler, whose

vision revolutionized aviation with the creation of the

dependable air-cooled Wasp engine; and

Whereas, Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford,

Connecticut, has since become a global leader in the design,

manufacture, and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary

power units for commercial, military, business aircraft,

helicopters; and

Whereas, Pratt & Whitney has contributed to every major

advancement in powered flight over the past century, helping

drive innovation, support national defense, and enable safe,

efficient air travel around the world; and

Whereas, for 100 years, the people of Connecticut have been

at the heart of Pratt & Whitney's success--engineers,

technicians, veterans, and countless other skilled employees

whose dedication and ingenuity continue to power the future

of aviation; and

Whereas, the company's continued investment in workforce

development, manufacturing, sustainability, and community

partnerships has strengthened Connecticut's economy and

aerospace leadership; and

Whereas, the State of Connecticut proudly celebrates the

achievements and legacy of Pratt & Whitney, recognizing a

century of excellence in engineering, innovation, and public

service;

Now, Therefore, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of

Connecticut, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2025

as Pratt & Whitney 100th Anniversary Week in the State of

Connecticut and encourage all citizens to join in honoring

this iconic company's extraordinary contributions to our

state, our nation, and the world.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused

the Seal of the State of Connecticut to be affixed this 25th

day of July, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record an op-ed piece that was presented in the Hartford Courant by Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy, again, talking about that great workforce over this past 100 years and their dedication then, now, and well into the future.

This op-ed ran in the Hartford Courant July 22nd:

Celebrating 100 Years of Aviation Innovation--and Investing in

Connecticut's Future

(By Shane Eddy, President, Pratt & Whitney)

In 1925, an engineer named Frederick Rentschler founded

Pratt & Whitney in Hartford with an idea for an air-cooled

radial engine that would revolutionize American aviation.

Rentschler was driven by a unwavering belief that ``the best

airplane could only be designed an the best engine'' and a

powerful vision for dependable propulsion to connect people,

grow economies, and defend freedom.

His first creation, the R-1340 Wasp, became an engineering

landmark--setting a new standard in performance and

reliability over the liquid cooled engines of the era. It

also marked the beginning of an enduring legacy of safety,

innovation and Dependable Engines forged right here in

Connecticut by generations of employees, who have quite

literally shaped the world we live in.

Over the past century, the skilled men and women of Pratt &

Whitney have designed, built and supported products that have

powered more than 500 different aircraft types, achieving

many commercial and military aviation milestones. We powered

the first major commercial air travel in the 1930s, provided

more than half the total horsepower for Allied aircraft

during World War II, and led the transition of commercial air

travel into the jet age in the late 1950s--among countless

other examples.

Today, our products power everything from the most advanced

fight aircraft, such as the F135 engine for the F-35, to the

GTF engine for most fuel-efficient narrowbody commercial

jets. Both of these marquee products are built in Middletown,

with critical parts produced in East Hartford as well as

suppliers located across the state.

The impact of our work extends far beyond Connecticut's

borders. Our global team is spread across more than 40 major

sites worldwide--including locations in Canada, Poland as

well as Singapore--and plays an important role in the design,

manufacture and support of our current and future engine

programs. The dedication and expertise of our global

workforce are at the heart of our success.

As we've gown from a single site in Hartford to a global

propulsion leader with 45,000 employees and more than 90,000

engines in service worldwide, Connecticut has and will

continue to be our home--just as it's been for the past 100

years. That commitment is reflected in the significant

investments we've made in our facilities, our workforce, and

our community here in the state.

Looking ahead, Pratt & Whitney is well positioned to shape

the future of flight for the next 100 years--with

Connecticut's industrial base leading the way. For example,

the new GTF Advantage engine for the Airbus A320neo was

recently certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and

will begin delivering soon. Additionally, we are growing the

capability of the F135 with the development of our Engine

Core Upgrade to ensure the F-35 fighter remains ahead of

threats for years to come. In partnership with our parent

company RTX, we are also actively developing technologies

such as hybrid-electric to secure positions on the next

generation of platforms.

The future for Pratt & Whitney is exciting and incredibly

bright--and will be powered by the talented and dedicated men

and women at our sites in Middletown and East Hartford, along

with the approximately 100 suppliers across the state that

support our engine programs.

Connecticut's industrial base is a national asset,

producing advanced commercial and military technology at

scale that no other country can match. But it's also fragile,

and it's imperative that we keep the conditions strong, so it

continues to thrive. That includes having a stable and

predictable business climate so companies can invest for the

long-term and a robust talent development ecosystem that

identifies and trains the next generation of aerospace

talent. While Connecticut's leaders have made significant

progress on both fronts, there is still more work to do to

grow and protect the state's industrial base for generations

to come.

To our employees, suppliers, partners, and neighbors across

the state--thank you for

helping make Pratt & Whitney what it is today. Let's shape

the next century of flight, together.

Mr. Speaker, the eagle will keep flying because they have the most dependable workforce and build the most dependable engines ever assembled in the world. I am proud to have been born and raised in East Hartford, the home and the start of Pratt & Whitney aircraft, the engine company that makes the most dependable engines in the world.

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to commend Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, for always making judgments, and sitting next to President Kennedy certainly was one of them, as well. What a great story.

We are here today because oftentimes, Mr. Speaker, as you might know, there isn't enough bipartisanship.

Today I rise, since the Speaker Emerita mentioned President Kennedy, to talk about profiles in courage. I commend the Republicans and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for the courage they demonstrated when they decided to get rid of ``Sesame Street.''

I don't know how many people know this, but a lot of people think that ``Sesame Street'' is about the education of children, especially in rural areas, and teaching the basics, like reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, our colleagues on the other side have pointed out that: No, this is about wokeism, and it has a direct impact on reconciliation, reconsideration, and inquiries of resolution. Those are three Rs that I didn't know about.

I had to explain to my daughter when she said: Do you mean your granddaughter won't see these programs?

I said: Well, I went to Jim Himes on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and I asked him if he had heard anything about wokeism or what does woke mean?

Jim looked around the room. He was a little cautious, and he said: Well, woke means we are okay with Elmo.

I didn't realize that the Republicans had actually broken the code, and that anyone who is okay with Elmo has to be suspect of wokeism.

He further said to me: We have discovered that this is a real issue.

I said: What is the threat that exists here? Has there been a classified briefing on this? Are we aware of this?

He said: No, there has been no classified briefing yet, but there is grave

concern about the Cookie Monster. Anytime you have ``monster'' in your name, the American people ought to be made aware of it, and you ought to be vitally concerned about what kind of habit this monster could create.

I couldn't believe it. Imagine, Mr. Speaker, for more than 50 years, they have been providing this kind of education, teaching kids how to read, write, and to inquire, but it was all code. This was part of leftwing wokeism. Regarding the Cookie Monster, that should have been obvious.

He said that a lot of people are wondering why the supreme Commander in Chief had been talking about Greenland, other invasions, and everything like this.

There is grave concern, and I asked Rosa DeLauro if she had heard about this. She is a known friend of Big Bird, and because of that relationship, she, obviously, along with others, is locked into this wokeism that has been plaguing the country.

I didn't even get into the relationship that Joe Courtney had with Bert and Ernie on the Armed Services Committee. However, Mr. Speaker, you can only imagine the job and the skill that our colleagues used on the other side to say that we have to end the public funding of this because of the great threat that this poses to our democracy.

How could we possibly let the Cookie Monster run rampant like this? Where was everybody? How did it take so long?

However, the supreme commander was able to figure it out, and his willing partners joined with him in making sure that ``Sesame Street'' was banned. I congratulate him. We are nominating him for Profiles in Courage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Philip Lazowski and his wife of 70 years, Ruth Lazowski--both Holocaust survivors and pillars of the Greater Hartford community.

On June 14, 2025, a kiddush will be held in their honor, along with their granddaughter, Jesse, as they all celebrate birthdays in the month of June. This joyous occasion will take place at the Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut, where Rabbi Lazowski serves as Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Lazowski will turn 95 on June 13, 2025; Ruth Lazowski celebrated her 90th birthday on June 9, 2025; and Jesse will turn 35, also on June 13, 2025.

The Lazowski name is synonymous with service in Connecticut and beyond. For the past 70 years, Rabbi Lazowski has been widely regarded as the spiritual leader of Greater Hartford's Jewish community, having served at Congregation Beth Sholom Synagogue in Hartford and later as spiritual leader at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield, until his retirement in 2000.

In addition to his leadership in these synagogues, Rabbi Lazowski served as Chaplain for Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living, where he spearheaded a mental health initiative, and as Chaplain for the Hartford Police. He also recently retired, after 25 years, as Chaplain of the State Senate. Upon his retirement, Rabbi Lazowski declared, ``As a Holocaust survivor, I am grateful to be alive, to live in this free and noble state of Connecticut, in our blessed United States of America.''

Rabbi Lazowski and his family's story is one of courage, triumph, and perseverance in the face of adversity. He and Ruth narrowly escaped Nazi-occupied Poland, only to be reunited in Hartford after World War II. Philip was separated from his family in a round-up in the Zhetel ghetto in Bielica. In an extraordinary act of selflessness and bravery, a nurse named Mirian Rabinowitz helped save Philip's life by pretending to be his mother while also protecting her two young daughters (one of whom was Ruth). Philip evaded capture by hiding in the ``White Russian Woods'' with his father and brother for years before eventually making his way to the United States in 1947.

It is a true honor to recognize Rabbi Lazowski, Ruth Lazowski, and Jesse Lazowski on this special occasion. I am deeply grateful for the friendship of the Lazowski family and for all they have done for the Greater Hartford community, the State of Connecticut, and the United States of America. I look forward to the Torah service and kiddush and wish them very happy birthdays and continued health and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I, first and foremost, will associate myself with the remarks of Mr. Neal from Massachusetts about our dear friend and colleague, Charlie Rangel.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I will point out, as well, that I believe the Representative from Indiana was on the floor talking about how we should go after PBS and NPR. ``Sesame Street'' and Big Bird are really culprits here, and every American ought to be really concerned about that.

We still have something we call free press and free opinions. If you think that they are the kind of organization that they are--I believe the other night on the floor they were called communistic, as well. How about we have an open public hearing and debate on that and put legislation forward not in the dark of night but when the public can actually view what you are saying.

Mr. Speaker, I am here today primarily, though, to talk about Social Security and also to enlighten, I hope, my colleagues on the other side. I am very concerned about the Supreme Court's most recent ruling that overturned two lower courts with no logic and said, no, there shouldn't be a pause, that DOGE ought to be able to look at everyone's personal data and records.

To all Social Security recipients and all Americans out there that are tuned in to this, understand what this is about. This is about DOGE having access to the more than 70 million Social Security recipients and everybody who, in fact, is on Social Security, which will include basically the whole Nation.

Why they need this data they don't make clear, but then again, they have never been vetted. They have never had to go through a Senate process. They are a special group status that has no responsibility or accountability and have been given unfettered access to everyone's personal data and information.

I would hope that one Republican--perhaps you, Mr. Speaker--will stand up and speak out against this outrage, because you know how important Social Security is to your district and how many recipients you have and how much money comes into your district on a monthly basis.

Imagine, that hasn't been altered in over 54 years because this body hasn't taken action, but now Elon Musk and Trump will get over the dispute they had because their focus is on privatizing Social Security and going after the $2.7 trillion of the people's money that is in trust. Their goal is to privatize Social Security by both dismantling it from within by laying off people, cutting phone service, closing regional offices, and suspending more than 7,000 workers under the guise of ``we are after fraud and abuse.''

They are about to take and use something that could be a very constructive tool in AI, but, no, they are going to be using that tool to go after the people's data and information and the $2.7 trillion in the trust fund.

Will anyone on the other side of the aisle join Representatives Neal and Jeffries in putting forward a bill that stops DOGE from looking at and taking people's personal data and information?

They have no accountability. The only accountability over Social Security is the United States Congress. If the Republicans remain silent and let this happen, shame on them for letting this happen. There is no way that Americans should be subject to a person who hasn't been verified, people who are going in and looking at their personal data and information.

I think it is disgusting what is going on, and there ought to be hearings and, most importantly, there ought to be a vote. We have a plan. We have a plan not to privatize Social Security, but to enhance it for the first time in over 54 years, to lift the 5 million people that get below-poverty-level checks out of it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the gentlewoman from Wisconsin. I wasn't going to speak, but I came to the floor, and I heard Mr. Gill talk about how proud he was of the President doing away with PBS.

What a shame. Is this Brandenburg?

Are we going to be burning books next?

What do we stand for in this great country?

In the United States of America we have free speech, and everybody gets to express their opinion whether you agree with them or not.

PBS does an exceptional job. Thank God for them. God bless them and America.

If you want to help out, all you citizens out there, donate to PBS, and don't put up with any of this nonsense.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I regrettably missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 125, NAY on Roll Call No. 126, and NO on Roll Call No. 127.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Town & County Club in the historic Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut. Over its storied 100-year history, the club has grown into the premier location for members to enjoy organized social, intellectual, and artistic gatherings.

On May 21, 1925, just five years after the 19th Amendment guaranteed women's suffrage, 400 women founded the Town & County Club as Hartford's first private women's club. The club's first President, Miss Anne Eliot Trumbull, helped draft their Articles of Association. The Articles state that the club was formed with the purposes of ``creating an organized center for women's work, thought and action; advancing the interests of women, promoting science, literature, and art; providing an accessible place of meeting for its members, promoting social intercourse by such means as the members of the corporation shall deem expedient and proper for that purpose, and for acquiring and maintaining and club house and grounds.''

The pioneering women who founded the Town & County Club at a time when membership at most private clubs was exclusive to men created an organization worthy of its storied 100-year history. It is my honor to celebrate the Town & County Club of Hartford, Connecticut.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the Nation's number one antipoverty program for children.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I am talking about Social Security. More alarming, Mr. Speaker, is that it has been more than 50 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security for the citizens of this great country.

What does that mean? That means that more than 70 million Social Security recipients have not seen an enhancement to Social Security since Richard Nixon was President of the United States.

I applaud Leader Hakeem Jeffries for putting together a plan and for presenting something to the American people that stands in stark contrast to nothing being put forward.

It doesn't bother me so much that Republicans aren't putting any proposals forward, but they would deny a hearing on Social Security and a vote on a measure that Congress hasn't addressed in more than 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, there are more than 70-plus million Social Security recipients. Ten million baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security and wonder why Congress hasn't acted.

Mr. Speaker, for more than 5 million of our fellow Americans who have paid into this system all their lives, they get below-poverty-level checks from their government because Congress hasn't acted.

Mr. Speaker, for more than 35 million people, this is the only pension they will receive, and Congress hasn't responded.

Again, I applaud Mr. Jeffries for saying, yes, what we need is an across-the-board increase for everyone on Social Security. As Mr. Jeffries has laid out, we need to repeal the provision to have people who continue to work after they retire and not have their Social Security taxed.

That is part of the Democratic plan, along with making sure that no one can retire into poverty and lifting the more than 5 million people who get below-poverty-level checks out of poverty.

Mr. Speaker, I know you know this. In Illinois' 12th Congressional District, there are more than 179,000 Social Security recipients, and more than 131,000 of them are retirees. Mr. Speaker, 21,000-plus are disabled. There are 11,000-plus widows; 4,000-plus spouses; and 10,000- plus children who haven't seen an increase in more than 50 years. It is long overdue for Congress to take action.

I plead with you, Mr. Speaker, to join us and to encourage Republican leadership minimally to have a hearing on this. If you have a better plan, Mr. Speaker, by all means, put it forward. At least let the plan that Hakeem Jeffries has put forward have a vote. If my colleagues disagree with it, that is fine. It is America. It is a democracy. Vote against it.

Why shouldn't Congress vote on making sure that Illinois' 12th Congressional District sees an increase they haven't seen in more than 50 years, as well as the First Congressional District in the State of Connecticut and all 535 congressional districts where individuals have not seen an increase, especially during these inflationary times.

For a party that used to pride itself on entrepreneurialism and capitalism, imagine this is the safety net for capitalism and entrepreneurialism. Where is the money spent in Illinois' 12th Congressional District? It is put right back in the local economy to the stores, the pharmacies, et cetera.

Madam Speaker, I rise to first and foremost submit an article by--I hope everyone gets to read it. We will be circulating it to all Members--about the Trump plan to go after our university system and destroy the research that goes on at our universities and massive cuts. As Mr. Zakaria points out, this would decimate our economy, and I think every Member of Congress needs to know.

Madam Speaker, I also heard Representative John Kasich on television, just before I came here, talking about how Democrats don't have a plan; they don't have a plan that they are going to utilize. I have great respect for John, but I will say yes, under Hakeem Jeffries, we do have a plan, especially as it relates to Social Security.

Our colleagues on the other side do not have a plan, or the plan that they have proposed is to cut benefits to Social Security.

Madam Speaker, I don't know if you realize how many Social Security recipients you have in your district, but there are over 170,000 of them, including 134,000 retirees, including 18,000 disabled workers, 8,000 widows, 3,000 spouses, and 9,000 children.

Madam Speaker, here is the most important thing. Most Members of Congress don't realize this. Do you know how much money comes into your district monthly to those recipients? That is $318 million that Mr. Trump and Republican leadership want to cut.

A 20 percent cut across the board to Social Security would decimate people across all districts, including Iowa and Connecticut and every other district.

We have a plan. Here is our plan. Social Security--and the American people, especially the people in our audience today ought to understand--hasn't been enhanced by Congress since 1971. Richard Nixon was President of the United States. There are more than 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security. Of those 70 million, for over 30 million of them, this is the only retirement benefit that they have.

Madam Speaker, we want to make sure that there is an across-the-board increase. Under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, that is what you will see, an across-the-board increase, a tax cut proposal for people who have to work out of necessity who would end up having to pay taxes on their Social Security. We pay for it to make sure that it doesn't impact the trust fund.

We also pay for the repeal of WEP and GPO because that is vitally important as well. We also make sure that there is no longer a waiting period for disability where we see that so many people have died waiting to receive their disability payment.

It is long overdue for the number one antipoverty program for the elderly

and for children of this country. More disability goes out to veterans from Social Security than goes out from the VA.

Congress needs to act. I would hope it would be bipartisan, but we can't even get a hearing, let alone pass a bill.

What is there to be afraid of? Every constituent listening to this ought to demand of their Member of Congress--if you disagree, if you have got a better plan, for God's sake, put it forward. How much longer do the American people have to wait to receive the benefits that they paid for?

This is an earned benefit. This is no entitlement like the other side calls it. People paid for it, and you can check it out right on your paycheck. It says FICA, Federal insurance contribution. Whose? Yours. You have paid for this benefit. Your government, your Congress, has let you down. They have not addressed this since 1971. It is long overdue that we not only address this but enhance this so that Americans get what they richly deserve, especially those in Iowa.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to celebrate the remarkable achievements of East Hartford's own Patrick Agyemang, who recently joined the U.S. Men's National Team. From being named a 2017 All-Conference soccer player while at East Hartford High School, to playing soccer for my alma mater, Eastern Connecticut State University, to his new position on the USMNT, Patrick's hometown has watched with pride as he represents the best of our community.

The following article by Steven Goff, originally published in The Washington Post and republished in our local paper, The East Hartford Gazette, encapsulates Patrick's journey from spectator to soccer star:

Patrick Agyemang was 9 when he found his seat at Rentschler

Field in East Hartford to watch the U.S. men's national

soccer team play one of its final tune-ups for the 2010 World

Cup.

He lived a few minutes from the stadium in a working-class

home the family called ``the Headquarters''--the place where

he and his two brothers, parents and friends enjoyed most of

their time together.

With his participation and passion in the sport swelling,

Patrick couldn't wait for kickoff against the Czech Republic.

He stared out and saw Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and other

stars pass through the players' tunnel and in that moment

tried seeing himself someday making that walk in U.S. colors.

``It's funny, because I still kind of remember how I

felt,'' he said Tuesday. ``It was a sense of excitement, and

I was like: `This is where I want to be. I don't know how,

but I would love to be on that field, to play for the country

and be able to know that my parents [someday] could come to

this game and watch me.' ''

Almost 15 years have passed, and Agyemang is in a U.S.

uniform--not preparing for a World Cup but making gains with

the national team after climbing the ladder as a relative

unknown from NCAA Division III to Division I, to MLS's

developmental league, then to MLS with Charlotte FC, where

last year he made the league minimum ($71,401).

In his first appearance for the national program at any

level, Agyemang started and scored the second U.S. goal

Saturday during a 3-1 victory over Venezuela in Fort

Lauderdale, Florida.

Agyemang (pronounced Aaw-jee-mawn) earned his place this

month after scoring a team best 10 goals in MLS last year. On

Saturday, the 24-year-old forward was among eight players to

make their U.S. debut.

``There was a level of uncertainty, just because I've never

been in an environment like this,'' Agyemang said of his

first camp. ``I just wanted to come in being myself,

completely myself, and, showing it on and off the field. I

think I was able to do that, but the guys and the coaching

staff made it way more easy than I expected and just made it

an experience I won't forget.''

Patrick Agyemang had never been invited to a U.S. camp at

any level until this month.

Agile and 6-foot-4, Agyemang displayed qualities in the

open field and on set pieces Saturday. He drew a penalty kick

less than two minutes into the match--Matko Miljevic failed

to convert--and proved dangerous on the counterattack.

``I think he can be very, very, very useful,'' Pochettino

said. ``He's still young, still has room to improve. . . . I

am so happy with him. His performance was really good. He's

capable to add [something] different to the team that

sometimes we were missing a little bit. It's a very good

alternative.''

Over the years, the U.S. program has employed tall center

backs and goalkeepers but few towering forwards. Agyemang

sprouted five inches before his junior year in high school

and kept growing.

``He's apparently 6-4, but I think he's like 6-6,'' said

U.S. left back DeJuan Jones, who has played against Agyemang

in MLS. ``He's got the Height--tough to mark on corners, for

sure--and then he's very quick and agile, and his holdup play

is nice as well. It's nice to be on his team for once. One to

watch out for.''

Agyemang's parents emigrated from Ghana and juggled

multiple jobs while raising three children. Soccer was

central to their upbringing with neighborhood games, school

teams and youth leagues.

During World Cups, family and friends gathered to watch the

Black Stars, Ghana's national team. In 2006, 2010 and 2014,

the United States and Ghana faced each other at the World

Cup, with the Black Stars winning the first two.

``I remember 2010 I was actually at one of my teammates'

house,'' Agyemang said. ``We were having a pool party. All

the parents were in the living room. Whoever scores, they'll

scream, then the other group will scream. It was a lot

because it was a diverse place. I think I was rooting for

both.''

Despite excelling for his high school and club, he did not

receive any offers from NCAA Division I or II programs. He

landed at Eastern Connecticut State. Agyemang was the

league's rookie of the year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, first and foremost, to talk about the incredible achievement of Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team, the winningest program in the Nation's history.

They performed remarkably well throughout the tournament, and it is just a great honor and a tribute for the entire Connecticut delegation to recognize this outstanding achievement.

Typical of Geno Auriemma, what he did before he accepted the award or said anything, he congratulated South Carolina and their coach and their achievements and the incredible season that they had, as well.

It is nice in athletics and sports to still see the class rings and the recognition of contributions of student athletes. Watching the NCAA tournament and watching both men's and women's collegiate athletes compete, it reminds us of just how great of a nation we live in.

In this great Nation, I am equally proud to recognize the number one program of all time is that of the University of Connecticut, led by Coach Geno Auriemma.

Social Security

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to discuss Social Security today, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children, as well.

Mr. Speaker, it is dismaying to see the President's proposal and Elon Musk's proposal to cut Social Security. Let's be clear about it. That is exactly what this administration is doing when they are taking SSA and diminishing its field forces and closing regional offices.

In the Speaker's district, there are over 160,000 recipients who receive Social Security benefits. What most Members don't realize is that also means $291 million that comes into the Speaker's district every month.

Mr. Speaker, that hasn't been changed since 1971. Have a few things changed since 1971? It is long overdue that Congress not only protects Social Security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and children but expands it because it hasn't been expanded since 1971. That is shameful and long overdue.

Instead, Elon Musk is going about and talking about how he is going to cut programs and singling out Social Security, Medicare, and national defense. Yet, the only thing he is really talking about is Social Security.

Mr. Speaker, that is because, of those three programs, Social Security is the only one that has $2.7 trillion in its trust fund. That is the people's money. That is what every single American has put into that program.

Mr. Speaker, it is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit. The actions of Elon Musk and the President and, until this body speaks out and up, the actions of the Republican-controlled House and Senate is to go along with what Elon Musk and President Trump are providing.

That means a direct cut to the Speaker's district and all of the other 434 districts and all of the individuals who rely on Social Security. It is a shame that, in the wealthiest Nation in the world, over 5 million of our fellow Americans who paid into the insurance program get below-poverty-level checks from the wealthiest government and the wealthiest Nation in the world simply because Congress hasn't acted.

It is equally shameful that not since 1971 have any of these programs been enhanced. Even last December, when teachers and firefighters and police officers were finally included, it was not paid for. Step up, pay for, and fund Social Security.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here.

This morning, I rise to talk about social security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children.

Mr. Speaker, I know it comes as no surprise to you that Social Security has not been enhanced since 1971. Richard Nixon was President of the United States then. Congress has done nothing to improve the situation of so many people who desperately need it.

There are more than 70 million Social Security recipients in the United States, and 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security. Yet, Elon Musk is setting about to dismantle the Social Security Administration by cutting regional offices. Whether it is Illinois or Connecticut, we need these regional offices.

He is cutting off the phone services, getting rid of the inspectors general, doing so to the program that is most effectively administrated in the Federal Government. No other agency, public or private, provides insurance for more than 70 million people with administrative costs that are under 1 percent. It delivers and has never missed a payment, not a pension payment, not a disability payment, not a spousal payment, not a dependent child payment.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, in your district you have approximately 180,000 Social Security recipients, 130,000-plus retirees, 21,000-plus disabled, 11,800 widows, 4,500 spouses, and over 10,000 children who rely on Social Security. Mr. Musk is out to dismantle and privatize this.

Some of the American people may have been born at night but not last night, with respect to what Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump are up to: On one hand, they say they will not cut social security. In the next breath, Larry Kudlow or CNN say, no, we have to privatize these systems because that is where we are going to find the $2 trillion that Mr. Trump has asked us to find.

What a coincidence that in the Social Security trust fund, the trust fund that more than 180,000 people in your district have paid into, is $2.7 trillion, and has never missed a payment but hasn't been expanded since 1971.

Do you think those 10,000 baby boomers a day are going to call your office, my office, every Member of Congress' office? You bet they are, and they should because Congress has done nothing. In the face of this, Mr. Trump is now trying to privatize Social Security, first, by gutting it from the inside and not providing the services to the public that it desperately needs and then indicating this system doesn't work. So I guess we are going to have to grab that $2.7 trillion and privatize that.

That will be a great benefit for the private sector. That would not help out the day-to-day workforce that relies on it and needs it and is depending on you, Mr. Speaker, and me and all the Members of this body. You owe it to your constituents to look them in the eye and tell them what your plan is. We have a plan to expand Social Security.

You imagine, there are 5 million Americans, mostly women, who get below-poverty-level checks from the wealthiest States in the Nation, having paid in with the guarantee and trust from their government that they would have a pension they could retire on. Instead, they get below-poverty-level checks because of Congress' inaction. Rise up America. Contact your Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the body with regard to Social Security and the lack of congressional action.

It might interest people in the audience to know, Mr. Speaker, that it has been over 50 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security on behalf of

its recipients. That is why I have introduced legislation specifically to address this issue.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, at the same time, we see that Mr. Musk has been charged by the President of the United States to cut $2 trillion from the budget. Mr. Musk has made no bones about the fact that he plans to privatize Social Security and Medicare, amongst others.

Social Security, Medicare, and defense, as a number of people in the audience knows, makes up more than 70 percent of the budget. He has been instructed to find $2 trillion. Coincidentally, that is just about how much Trump's tax cut for the wealthiest 1 percent is, $2 trillion.

Where will it come from, Mr. Speaker? Obviously, he has his designs on Social Security, the only one of those entities--defense, Medicare, and Medicaid--that has a trust fund, a trust fund of $2.7 trillion of hardworking people's money.

It might surprise you, Mr. Speaker, to know that, in your district, you have over 183,000 Social Security recipients, over 13,000 who are disabled, 7,000-plus children, 8,000 widows, and 4,000 spouses.

Here is the critical thing: Republicans should wake up in this time of inflation. Your district and every district on average, by the way, receives more than $200 million monthly for its Social Security recipients. Your district, Mr. Speaker, receives $354 million.

That hasn't been changed since 1971. People in America should be outraged by the fact that Congress has not fulfilled its responsibility to act on behalf of its citizens.

Social Security is the number one insurance program in the country, serving over 70 million people. Mr. Speaker, 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and Congress continues to ignore them and ignore their needs.

Shamefully, more than 5 million of our fellow Americans get below- poverty-level checks from the wealthiest Nation in the world and the most successful insurance program because of congressional inaction. Most of those 5 million are women, and among those, most of them are women of color.

People have been taxed on their Social Security when they continue to work after retirement, and that is false, as well. I have had a proposal, Mr. Speaker, to correct all of that, to change it, and, by the way, pay for it.

How do we do that, Mr. Speaker? Very simple: We lift the cap on people who pay nothing or very little or are through paying the first day and second day of January. Lifting the cap on over 400,000 people, as President Biden proposed, will provide us the benefits and solvency that Social Security needs.

Why is it that hardworking people in this gallery should pay into a system all their lives and get a benefit, yet billionaires can be excluded and don't have to pay in the same amount or some totally circumvent the law altogether and pay nothing?

It is long overdue, Mr. Speaker, don't you agree, for a vote to take place. For all the citizens in your district, the more than $300 million that comes in, imagine what that does to the local economy in your district, how it will help out the local grocery store, the pharmacy, and, most importantly, the individual families in that region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that Republicans stand up to join us in enhancing Social Security, not cutting it.