"...there was a sincere belief that out of the utilization of that method we can gradually build up in this country a system of prevention of the most difficult and devastating diseases and illnesses which affect our people, and particularly the low-income groups."
-Frances Perkins (1935)
-Frances Perkins (1935)
Two days later, on January 17, 1935, the Economic Security Bill was introduced to Congress by Senator Robert Wagner and Representatives Robert Doughton and David Lewis. The bill included old-age, unemployment and disability insurance, as well as child-welfare services. Click here to view the full text of the Act |
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Social Security Taxes
Opposition
"Isn't this socialism? Isn't this a teeny weeny bit of socialism?"
- Senator Thomas Gore (1935) "In the Senate, Huey Long filibustered the bill for fifteen hours, discoursing on everything from Frederick the Great to fried oysters." -The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope (Adler) |
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"The point that I am making is that in order to qualify for the old-age annuity there is a provision that taxes must be paid on behalf of this person prior to the day when he reaches 60 years....First, and very serious, Negro share croppers and cash tenants would be excluded....He is not employed. There is no relation of master and servant by which he gets wages on which a tax could be levied. Therefore this population is excluded from the...benefits of the old-age annuity, and that represents ...490,000 Negroes."
- Charles H. Houston, representing the NAACP |
Road to Passage
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New York Times Article Timeline of Social Security
Click an image to enlarge
The Bill passed with resounding support because the final version was a careful balance of Republican and conservative Democratic beliefs combined with liberal, New Deal Democratic ones. The original bill was watered down enough so that conservatives backed it, but still had the changes so that liberals supported it.
Passage!
"It finally went through in a blaze of glory."
-Frances Perkins
-Frances Perkins