Ro Khanna: "Stop Playing Politics With Social Security"

Congressional candidate Ro Khanna released a statement Wednesday morning saying Social Security needs to be protected before it can expand. 

The statement follows a request from Rep. Mike Honda (D-Fremont) calling on Khanna to support expanding Social Security benefits. Honda will hold a press conference at noon in Fremont where he will release a poll showing that a majority of voters in the 17th Congressional District support Social Security expansion.

Read: Rep. Honda to Hold Conference Wednesday on Expanding Social Security Benefits

While Khanna agreed that Social Security benefits should not be cut, he also said that government must ensure the program is solvent in the long-term and urged Congress to “stop playing politics.”

“My parents worked hard, paid into Social Security and, as retirees, rely on those benefits,” Khanna said in a statement. “Congress should stop playing politics with Social Security and focus on extending its solvency, so future generations can retire with dignity and security. The benefits promised to current recipients must remain sacrosanct.”

To ensure solvency, Khanna suggests Congress raise the payroll tax cap. The tax cap is currently at $113,700.

“This would add many years to the solvency of the Trust Fund without cutting benefits or increasing the retirement age, which I strongly oppose,” Khanna said.

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