Skip to main content
Image
Representative Jackson Lee
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee logo

CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE STATEMENT ON 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1935

August 14, 2015

Jackson Lee: “Social Security is the primary economic lifeline for 90,766 citizens in the 18th Congressional District and injects more than $97 million into Houston’s economy annually”

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Homeland Security and Judiciary Committee, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, today marked the 80th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security program, landmark legislation signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.

"Creating Social Security was and is one of the proudest achievements of the Democratic Party," stated Congresswoman Jackson Lee. "Social Security has transformed what it means to grow old in this country."
"For 80 years, Social Security has represented a bedrock promise to the American people: that a lifetime of work will be rewarded with the peace of mind, certainty, and sense of security of a stable retirement," Congresswoman Jackson Lee added. "As we celebrate Social Security's 80th birthday, we need to remember the real-life impact that America's most successful program continues to have on millions of Americans each year."

Social Security has been a stable and secure source of income for millions of seniors and families, many of whom desperately need it, over these last more than seven decades. In the 18th Congressional District of Texas, Social Security is the primary economic lifeline for 90,766 seniors and disabled persons. "Social Security's economic impact also goes well beyond the seniors and families receiving benefits. It also benefits state economies and local businesses all across the country. Right here in the 18th Congressional District, Social Security recipients inject more than $97 million into the local economy annually; nationwide, this figures is $775 billion," said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. "When more than 58 million Americans use the purchasing power of those benefits, they are supporting businesses with dollars they would not have without Social Security."

Unfortunately, in recent years, there are Congressional Republicans who continue to promote various plans to privatize or partially privatize Social Security – plans that would rob seniors of the economic security they count on.

"Over the last 80 years, Democrats have protected and strengthened Social Security; and now and in the future, Democrats will always act to preserve Social Security and safeguard the rights of our nation's seniors," Congresswoman Jackson Lee concluded.

###

Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.