Reps. Mike Honda

This month, the U.S. Census Bureau reported income growth rates of 5.2 percent in 2015, the first gain since 2007. This is great news for some but the reality is these numbers suggest that the U.S. continues to lag behind where we should be. In real terms, median household income – $56,516 – remains below where it was before the Great Recession. It is also well below the high of $57,909, which was set back in 1999.

To borrow from Mark Twain, reports of the death of Social Security are greatly exaggerated. Social Security is not dead. It is not dying. It is, in fact, alive and well. However, we must work to ensure it stays that way. Too many beneficiaries are hurting today, constantly on the edge of a crisis. And, as America ages, more and more people are going to depend on Social Security payments. That’s why we joined Rep.