Reid Statement on Social Security's 71st Anniversary

REID STATEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY'S 71st ANNIVERSARY

With Republicans continuing their quest to privatize Social Security, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following statement on the program's 71st anniversary:

"Seventy-one years after Social Security was created, it continues to play a key role in the lives of millions of working Americans. Social Security's success in lifting 13 million elderly Americans out of poverty and providing assistance to over 8 million Americans with disabilities and over 6 million surviving spouses and children is celebrated by all Americans.

"As we mark Social Security's contribution to the retirement security of millions of hardworking Americans, Senate Democrats renew our commitment to strengthening the program and to rejecting any plan to dismantle it. Risky privatization schemes with their deep benefit cuts and trillions in new debt continue to be promoted by Republicans in Congress and they will continue to be rejected by the American people.

"Social Security faces a long term financial challenge, and Democrats stand ready to move America in a new direction to strengthen it."

http://reid.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=261731&&year=2006&