Realizing that the Social Security system provided a much more efficient means for funding and distributing benefits, Claude Pepper quickly embraced the Social Security system and he became one of the programs staunchest defenders. In 1942 he was selected by Roosevelt to serve on the Special Committee to Investigate the Old Age Pension System.
Later as a member of the House he was one of the most influential Congressmen to support the passage of the Social Security Amendments of 1965. He also supported passage of a Congressional bill in the 1970s which provided a sweeping 5% increase and expansion of Social Security benefits. In the early 1980s, Claude Pepper was part of a reform commission dealing with social security and the problems that would occur. He supported social security passionately and shared his concerns for its future such as the declining amount of money for future beneficiaries.
History has repeated itself. During his 2006 State of the Union speech, President Bush called for another bi-partisan commission to look into the issue:
Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security&emdash;&emdash;yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away. And every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse.
So tonight, I ask you to join me in creating a commission to examine the full impact of baby boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. This commission should include members of Congress of both parties, and offer bipartisan solutions. We need to put aside partisan politics and work together and get this problem solved.
- President George W. Bush
For more information about the 1980s Social Security Reform Commission, please visit Claude Pepper Center's Social Security Web Exhibit.
