WASHINGTON - November 1 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following statement after news reports indicated that the so-called “Super Committee” -charged with reducing the federal deficit $1.2 trillion over the next ten years - is considering unnecessary changes to Social Security.

“The debt we are facing is the result of wars paid for on credit card, massive tax giveaways for the wealthy and an economic recession brought on by Wall Street speculators.  We cannot allow our budgetary situation to be used as an excuse to rob seniors of their well-deserved benefits. Social Security does not impact the deficit. We must take Social Security off the table.”

“Social Security is strong. It will be able to pay 100% of its benefits through 2037 without any changes whatsoever,” said Kucinich. “Senior citizens should not have to accept a reduced standard of living to finance tax cuts for the rich.”

“Such a move would be particularly deceptive after a long-overdue Cost of Living Adjustment to Social Security was announced just two weeks ago.”