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Protect Social Security for Survivors and People with Disabilities in California

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on Bush Administration plans to cut Social Security survivor benefits and possibly disability benefits:

"White House officials have confirmed that privatization would mean huge benefit cuts for widows, children who lose a parent, and possibly those with disabilities. In 2003, almost 600,000 Californians received survivor benefits, and more than 630,000 received disability benefits. Privatization will shortchange these struggling families in their time of need.

"The President already wants to take up to $675 a month from the average Californian's retirement benefits to pay for privatization. Now the Administration wants to risk the financial security of hundreds of thousands of Californians who depend upon Social Security in the wake of a loved one's death or the onset of a disability. That is unconscionable.

"Democrats are ready to protect Social Security without increasing the deficit, harming the middle class, or cutting guaranteed benefits. A risky plan that plays roulette with the economic security of American families in times of tragedy does not 'fix' Social Security."