Rep. Johnson Celebrates 81st Anniversary of Social Security Being Signed into Law

Vows to Protect Social Security from Republican Efforts to Cut Benefits, and Ensure Social Security Is There for Future Generations

LITHONIA, GA – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) marked the 81st anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security program. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Social Security into law on August 14, 1935.

“Social Security is one of the greatest achievements of the Democratic Party,” Rep. Johnson said. “For 81 years, Social Security has represented a bedrock promise to the American people – that a lifetime of hard work will be rewarded with a secure and dignified retirement.”

“As we celebrate Social Security’s 81st birthday, we need to remember the real-life impact that America’s most successful program continues to have on millions of Americans each year and ensure that Social Security is there for future generations,” Rep. Johnson added.

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 eight decades. 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. Nearly 60 million Americans spend $883 billion in Social Security benefits nationwide each year – supporting businesses with dollars they wouldn’t have without Social Security.

Yet, Congressional Republicans continue to promote their callous plans to rob seniors of the economic security they count on by privatizing or partially privatizing Social Security and starving the Social Security Administration of the funding needed to provide quality, timely assistance to Americans. In fact, this year, House Republicans have put forward a plan that would result in closed offices and longer wait times and delays for recipients, including those waiting for disability claims decisions.

“Over the last 81 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,” Rep. Johnson concluded.

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