Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Introduces the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act

Today, Congresswoman Moore reintroduced the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which would make key reforms to strengthen and improve the program benefits so that Social Security works better for vulnerable Americans. Congresswoman Moore released the following statement:

“It’s only right that I commemorate the 86^th anniversary of Social Security by reintroducing the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which would strengthen this crucial program so many rely on. I am a living testament to the transformative powers strong safety net programs can have on a person’s life. 

We can make this program work better for the Americans who stand to benefit the most from it, including women, people of color, and low-wealth people. My bill, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, would recognize that providing care for a child is work so that the years in which a parent provides care for a young child count as a year of coverage for determining an individual’s Social Security benefits, renew support for students who are children of retired, deceased, or disabled workers, and improve the program’s special minimum benefit to better reach low-income workers.  The bill would also provide additional security by increasing benefits for all beneficiaries 20 years after retirement so that individuals don’t outlive their nest eggs. 

I know that Social Security is both a vital safety net and too often the main or only retirement plan for so many. Social Security lifts millions out of poverty and provides needed income and financial stability to hard-working Americans in retirement, with a disability or after losing a loved one.  

That is why my proposal would help us ensure that Social Security does what it was intended to do: protect all older Americans from spending their retirement living in deep poverty.”