Katherine Clark pledges to protect Social Security for seniors

MEDFORD -- Katherine Clark celebrated the 78th anniversary of Social Security with Medford seniors on Wednesday. Katherine pledges to maintain Social Security benefits and preserve the program for future generations as she runs for Congress.

"Social Security is a promise we have made to senior citizens who worked a lifetime and paid into the system," said Clark, a Democratic state senator from Melrose. "The modest benefit provided by the program is just as important to our seniors today as when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law in 1935."

Katherine believes that cutting Social Security benefits, raising the retirement age, or ending the guaranteed benefits through privatization is completely unacceptable, as more than 1.2 million Massachusetts seniors depend on $1.3 billion in Social Security benefits each month. In Congress, Katherine will stand up to extremist Republicans and even members of her own party who support benefit reductions like tying the program to the consumer price index.

"Washington politicians shouldn’t try to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable," Clark said. "I know from watching my grandmother how vital that modest benefit was to her and as an insurance counselor with Mystic Valley Elder Services, I heard that story repeated. The Fifth Congressional District needs a representative who will stand by our seniors."

Katherine believes Congress should be focused on helping seniors ensure a secure retirement and finding ways to strengthen the Social Security program. She supports lifting the cap on wages that are subject to Social Security payroll taxes, which could raise billions of dollars to improve the program and working toward a fairer tax code so the very wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share.

About State Senator Katherine Clark
Katherine was sworn in for her second term as a Massachusetts state senator representing Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester on January 2, 2013. She was first elected in March 2008 to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

Senator Clark serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. She also serves on the Joint Committees on Public Health and Public Safety and Homeland Security. Senator Clark is a member of the Advisory Council for the Department of Early Education and Care. In 2011, Senator Clark was appointed to the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy Advisory Board at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
 
Katherine has received endorsements from the United Steelworkers Union Local 12012, Ironworkers Local 7, NAGE/IBPO/SEIU Local 5000, Teamsters Local 25, IBEW Local 123 and the Women's Campaign Fund. She has also been placed "On The List" by EMILY's List and has the backing of Attorney General Martha Coakley and Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan.