Russ Feingold for United States Senate

Social Security

FULFILLING A NATIONAL PROMISE

"Protecting Social Security is one of my highest priorities. As a nation, we have made a promise to workers that Social Security will be there for them when they retire. If we don't protect Social Security now, it will be harder and more costly to provide benefits in the future.

Social Security benefits provide nearly 40 percent of the income of seniors. For two-thirds of seniors, Social Security accounts for half or more of their income. Yet Social Security is more than a retirement benefits program. According to the Social Security Administration, over one-third of the benefits paid by Social Security provide income for disabled workers, widows and widowers, spouses, and children. I am committed to protecting Social Security, one of the most important programs in our nation's history, for this and future generations."

ACHIEVEMENTS

Protecting Social Security: Senator Feingold is a cosponsor of the Social Security and Medicare Surpluses Lockbox bill of 2001. This legislation would ensure that Congress reaches a balanced budget through fiscal restraint instead of using the Social Security Trust Fund to cover up the budget deficit.

Recognition of Senate Voting Record: The 2.5 million-member Alliance for Retired Americans gave Senator Russ Feingold a perfect score of 100 in its 2001 Congressional Voting Record. This record evaluates votes cast by members of the U.S. House and Senate based on how they voted on 10 key issues of particular importance to older and disabled Americans, including: Social Security, a Medicare prescription drug benefit, patients' bill of rights, the fiscal year 2002 budget, and pensions.

"Honor Roll": Senator Feingold was named to the Concord Coalition's "Honor Roll" for his votes to cut the federal deficit. The nonpartisan group evaluated votes based on whether they protect the surplus by keeping it in reserve until the long-term Social Security problem has been solved.