Retirement Security

One of our country's greatest accomplishments in the 20th Century was the establishment of the social security system. Until Social Security and Medicare came along, over half of all seniors lived in poverty. In Congress, I would vigorously oppose any effort to weaken or privatize these vital programs.

The Bush Administration's prescription drug benefit is designed to reward the drug companies and does not provide the easy access to affordable prescription drugs that seniors deserve, and it specifically prohibits the government from negotiating for lower prices -- it badly needs to be fixed.

Increasingly, private pensions are also at risk. Congress should act to ensure that working people do not lose the retirement income that they worked hard for and has been promised to them.