OnTheIssuesLogo

Chellie Pingree on Social Security

Democratic Representative (ME-1)

 


Oppose any effort to weaken or privatize vital program

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.

Increasingly, private pensions are 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.

Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, chelliepingree.com, “Issues” , Nov 4, 2008

Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age.

Pingree signed the Social Security Protectors Pledge

Some 200 Democratic House and Senate candidates have signed on to a pledge rejecting any effort to privatize or scale back Social Security benefits or raise the retirement age. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee sponsored this pledge among Congressional candidates.

Source: PCCC Survey 10-PCCC on Aug 11, 2010

Exclude Medicare and Social Security from deficit reduction.

Pingree signed Sense of Congress on Deficit Reduction

    Expresses the sense of Congress that:
  1. any deficit reduction plan put forward by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction should not balance the budget by eroding America's hard-earned retirement plan and social safety net;
  2. Medicare's ability to deliver high quality health care in a cost-efficient manner should be strengthened and its benefits should be preserved for current and future retirees;
  3. appropriate reform to strengthen Social Security's long-term outlook should ensure that it remains a critical source of protection for the people of the United States and their families without further increasing the retirement age or otherwise decreasing benefits; and
  4. federal funding for the Medicaid program should be maintained so that senior citizens, poor and disabled children, and others with disabilities are able to gain and retain access to affordable health care.
Source: H.CON.RES.72 11-HCR72 on Aug 1, 2011

Sponsored keeping CPI for benefits instead of lower "Chained CPI".

Pingree co-sponsored Resolution on CPI

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION expressing the sense of the Congress that the Chained Consumer Price Index (CPI) should not be used to adjust Social Security benefits.