Social Security
- Senator Mondale argues against adopting the Social Security Amendments of 1967 Conference Report: "The conference report, as it comes back from the conference committee, is almost entirely the House bill. It is shorn of virtually every improved amendment which was added by the Senate. I think it is one of the most backward, repressive, medieval pieces of legislation we have seen in a long time. About the only thing it overlooks is revival of debtors' prisons." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (December 8, 1967): 35639-35642. (Mondale at 35640)
- Senator Mondale voices his objections to the conference report on H.R. 12080 (introduced in August by Representatives Mills, D-AK, and Byrnes, R-WI) the Social Security Amendments for 1967, calling it a "sorry response to the needs of the elderly, the disabled, the blind, and the poor." The Senate agrees to the conference report and the bill later becomes Public Law 90-248. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (December 14, 1967): 36781-36824. (Mondale at 36813)
- Senator Mondale introduces nine amendments to H.R. 17550, the Social Security Act Amendments of 1970 (introduced in May by Representatives Mills, D-AK, and Byrnes, R-WI), providing additional funding for benefits, incentives for the elderly to remain active, supplementing medical insurance, and providing equity to older citizens. He argues, "To grow old and retire in the United States today is to surrender rather than gain independence... We have not protected the economic trust of senior Americans; we have rather seen their rewards for labor eroded, and concurrently millions of older citizens have become imprisoned in poverty." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (September 22, 1970): 32992-32993.
- Senator Mondale submits two amendments to H.R. 17550 providing increased benefits to the elderly and improving Medicare and Medicaid. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (September 29, 1970): 34079.
- Senator Mondale introduces several amendments to H.R. 17550, amending the Social Security Act. Amendment No. 1145 raises the earnings limitation on social security benefit entitlement from $1,680 to $2,400; he argues that "I believe that our public policies have not been adequate to maintain certain basic benefits of American citizenship for older Americans, and many senior citizens have lost their independence and individual dignity. Every person has a right to maintain his autonomy, his individuality as a citizen, to the end of his life." The bill passes the Senate which then insists on its amendments and asks for a conference. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (December 17, 1970): 42163-42164.
- Senator Mondale introduces four bills to amend the Social Security Act, providing for automatic adjustments in benefits, increasing the amount an individual can earn without suffering deductions from insurance benefits, increasing the minimum benefit, and basing the computation of benefits on the worker's ten years of highest earnings. The bills are referred to the Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (March 16, 1971): 6565, 6596-6597.
- Senator Mondale argues in favor of H.R. 1 (introduced in January by Representatives Mills, D-AK, and Byrnes, R-WI), a massive revision in Social Security laws, in addition to several Senate amendments: "I believe that the Nation is coming to recognize the horror of poverty in a wealthy country." The bill is referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (July 20, 1971): 26133-26134.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3512, a fifteen-part plan that includes protecting Social Security beneficiaries from inflation by automatically adjusting benefits and by raising benefits by 25 percent; he argues that "there is a serious danger that the elderly will be hoodwinked out of a large part of the benefit increase they deserve, and which the country can afford. This may happen because President Nixon wants to use a large chunk of the money which should go to the elderly to hide his huge budget deficits. This is completely unfair to our senior citizens." The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (April 19, 1972): 13381-13384.
- Brief synopsis of Senator Mondale's Amendments No. 1127-1137 to H.R. 1 (introduced in January 1971 by Representatives Mills, D-AK, and Byrnes, R-WI). 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (April 19, 1972): 13387.
- Discussing H.R. 1, Senator Mondale decries the 10 percent increase in Social Security benefits recommended by the Committee on Finance calling it "completely inadequate to meet the real and pressing needs of elderly Americans;" he says the Senate "should accept nothing less" than a 20 percent increase. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (June 16, 1972): 21244.
- Further discussion of H.R. 1. Senator Mondale argues in favor of a 20 percent increase "across-the-board" in Social Security benefits, claiming that "social security for all its promise, has not in recent years lived up to the hopes which it raised 37 years ago." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (June 29, 1972): 23294-23305. (Mondale at 23296)
- Further discussion of H.R. 1; the Senate votes for a 20 percent increase in Social Security benefits. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (June 30, 1972): 23504-23512.
- Senator Mondale supports S. Res. 367, preventing President Nixon from claiming credit for the increases in Social Security benefits passed by Congress in H.R. 1, which the President opposed (introduced by Senator Church, D-ID); he argues, "It has been the consistent view of this administration that it is somehow 'fiscally irresponsible' to make life decent and bearable for millions of elderly Americans. In light of this record, there is no justification for President Nixon claiming credit for the increase they will find in their social security envelopes in October." The measure is ordered to be placed on the calendar. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 19, 1972): 31135-31142. (Mondale at 31139)
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 4013, a bill ensuring that Social Security recipients will not experience deductions in their benefits if they receive aid from other programs. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 21, 1972): 31672-31673.
- Senator Mondale introduces Amendment No. 1621 to H.R. 1, designed to give the elderly increased benefits immediately. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 28, 1972): 32676-32677.
- Senator Mondale introduces Amendment No. 1675 to H.R. 1, preventing housing authorities from raising rents and the Department of Agriculture from cutting food stamps as a result of the 20 percent increase in Social Security benefits: "We should protect the elderly who receive food stamps, public housing benefits and veterans' benefits, as well as those receiving old age assistance and Medicaid. It is unjust and unfair that any of these other benefits should be reduced because of the 20-percent social security increase." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (October 2, 1972): 33053-33054.
- Senator Mondale introduces an amendment to H.R. 1: "The amendment I am calling up today is meant to complete the work of protecting the 20-percent increase. It does this by preventing housing authorities from raising rents and the Department of Agriculture from cutting food stamp benefits as a result of the 20-percent increase." The amendment is agreed to. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (October 5, 1972): 33867-33887. (Mondale at 33873)
- Senator Mondale states his support for Senator Nelson's (D-WI) amendments to H.R. 1, shifting the burden of taxation for Social Security from lower-income people; he states, "Dignity for our elderly and disabled is a national concern. A larger share of social security financing should be supported from the broad Federal tax base. And I believe a fair share of the burden should be carried by corporate taxes, which in 1971 received a tax cut which will amount to $74 billion over 10 years." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (October 5, 1972): 33941-33943.
- Senator Mondale reluctantly votes in favor of the Social Security Amendments Conference Report for H.R. 1; the conference committee dropped Senator Mondale's amendment that would have prevented Social Security recipients from losing other necessary benefits due to the 20 percent increase in Social Security benefits: "Because my amendment was dropped, up to 15,000 elderly Minnesotans are faced with increased public housing rents, and approximately 40,000 Minnesotans could lose food stamp benefits. Letters and phone calls from Minnesotans are pouring into my office on this subject, and I just don't even know how to respond to them at this point." The conference report is agreed to. The bill later becomes Public Law 92-603. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (October 17, 1972): 36821-36825. (Mondale at 36824)
- Senator Mondale expresses his disapproval of President Nixon's willingness to let the Social Security Commissioner resign: "If ever an administrator should have been implored to stay and apply his experience and compassion to new challenges, this was the time for such action by the President. Instead, the President said that it was all right for Mr. Ball to go.... That action was regrettable, and I hope that Mr. Nixon will think long and hard before he decides on a proposed successor to Commissioner Ball. In fact, news of the President's action aroused much concern about ... a possible administration desire to 'politicalize' Social Security." 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (February 15, 1973): 4309-4310.
- Senator Mondale speaks in support of H.R. 11333, stating that the bill "represents our effort to resolve the most urgent issues now" by providing a 7 percent Social Security increase, increasing the basic payment under the supplemental security income program, and preserving food stamp and Medicaid eligibility for the aged, blind, and disabled. The bill passes the Senate and later becomes Public Law 93-233. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (December 21, 1973): 43099-43114. (Mondale at 43113)
- Senator Mondale cosponsors S. Res. 2, expressing opposition to the President's proposal of instituting a 5 percent ceiling on Social Security cost-of-living increase: "This proposed ceiling of 5 percent is unfair to older Americans, and it makes very little economic sense." 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (January 21, 1975): 889-891.
Housing for the Elderly
- Senator Mondale pays tribute to Vice President Hubert Humphrey and his contributions to bringing health care to the elderly. 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (August 10, 1965): 19761-19763.
- Senator Mondale praises the Farmers Home Administration for recognizing the needs of the elderly in rural areas by building rental housing units catering to their needs; he submits an article on the subject. 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (February 15, 1968): 3109-3110.
Medicare
- Senator Mondale expresses his support for H.R. 6675 (introduced in March by Representative Mills, D-AK), a later version of S. 1, authorizing health insurance and medical care for the elderly. He states, "The aged should not have to live in a world where dignity and pride are sacrificed for survival, where contentment is an unattainable luxury, and where hope is a myth and a mockery." The bill passes the House and the Senate and becomes Public law 89-97. 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (July 9, 1965): 16070-16157. (Mondale at 16145)
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3797, providing for reimbursement of transportation costs for elderly recipients of Medicare traveling to and from a hospital or a doctor's office. The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (September 1, 1966): 21541.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3307, a bill to prevent further increases in Medicare premiums: "the administration is seeking to lay the full burden of inflationary medical costs upon those who have the greatest need for medical care and the least capacity to meet these added burdens." The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (January 19, 1970): 69, 73-74.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 1337, a bill reducing the cost of premiums for medical care, removing the "obnoxious requirement that Medicare patients pay a blood deductible charge for the first 3 pints of blood they may require," and expanding coverage to out-of-hospital drug costs. The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (March 23, 1971): 7390.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3127, a bill eliminating monthly premiums for Medicare, calling the premiums a "terrible burden" and a "national disgrace." The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (February 4, 1972): 2701-2702.
- Senator Mondale responds to President Nixon's proposal to raise Medicare premiums, calling it "an outrage" and "another example of the mistaken priorities of this administration." 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (March 1, 1973): 6088-6089.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. Con. Res. 18, expressing opposition to the President's proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The measure is referred to the Committee on Finance. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (March 26, 1973): 9411-9413.
- Senator Church (D-ID) on behalf of himself and Senator Mondale introduces S. Res. 124, improving Medicare coverage and expressing opposition to the President's cutbacks. The measure is referred to the Committee on Finance. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (June 7, 1973): 18574-18575.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 3588, amending the Social Security Act to prevent certain individuals from becoming ineligible for Medicare or Medicaid or other services due to increases in their Social Security benefits. The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (June 5, 1974): 17676, 17713-17715.
General Issues for the Elderly
- Senator Mondale is appointed to the Special Committee on Aging. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (January 18, 1967): 941.
- Senator Mondale argues in favor of Senator Williams' (D-NJ) amendment to H.R. 18515, the 1971 appropriations bill for the Department of Labor, Health, Education and Welfare (introduced in July by Representative Flood, D-PA); the amendment would provide transportation funds for older persons attending the White House Conference on Aging. The amendment is agreed to. The bill becomes Public Law 91-667. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (November 20, 1970): 38328-38332. (Mondale at 38331)
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2448, a bill to bring property tax relief to low-income, elderly people. The bill is referred to the Committee on Finance. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (August 5, 1971): 29893, 29918-29919.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 4044, a bill to strengthen and improve the Older Americans Act of 1965. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 28, 1972): 32659.
- Senator Mondale introduces Amendments No. 378 and 379 to S.4 (introduced in January by Senator Williams, D-NJ) to strengthen and improve the protections and interests of participants and beneficiaries of employee pension and welfare benefit plans; he states that "Fewer than 2 percent of elderly widows receive any benefits from private pension or profit-sharing plans, even though roughly half of our working force is covered by such plans. Yet, surviving widows of workingmen comprise one of the most impoverished and financially helpless groups in our society. . . I believe we must do all we can to assure that these elderly women have the financial security that allows them personal dignity in their old age;" the second amendment he introduces prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin or sex by any pension plan. The bill is indefinitely postponed in the Senate in September and its provisions were incorporated in H.R. 4200. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (July 18, 1973): 24456-24457.
- Senator Mondale cosponsors S. Res. 113, calling upon the President "to submit a suitable multiagency plan for maintaining close watch over State and Federal investigations and actions related to nursing home abuses." 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (March 13, 1975): 6472-6474.
- Senator Mondale submits his remarks at the opening of the Center for Research in Human Aging in which he explores the concept of "lifetime learning" and announces his intention for introducing a "Lifetime Learning Act" as an amendment to the pending education legislation. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (June 18, 1975): 19426-19428.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2497, the Lifetime Learning Act, amending the Higher Education Act of 1975 to support programs in lifetime learning: "Senior citizens ... have often been excluded from the academic community in the past. They would be offered exciting new alternatives through participation in educational programs. In a society with a population of 23 million over the age of 65, and increasing life expectancy, the significance of providing productive options for the elderly cannot be overestimated." The bill is referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (October 8, 1975): 32179, 32182-32184.
- Representative Brademas (D-IN) submits an article written by Senator Mondale on the Lifelong Learning Act. 94th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (September 30, 1976): 34311-34312.
Retirement
- Senator Mondale announces upcoming hearings on retirement and the individual, to be held by the newly created Subcommittee on Retirement and the Individual. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (May 3, 1967): 11524.
- Senator Mondale announces upcoming hearings on retirement and the individual. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (July 17, 1967): 18934.
- Senator Williams (D-NJ) submits an address by Senator Mondale to the 20th Annual Conference on Aging; Senator Mondale states, "We must, I believe, begin recognizing retirement for what it is: a separate and distinct phase of life which may last from 20 to 25 years before a person can be considered as entering old age. And we must realize that there is a great and growing need for earlier awareness and consideration of the realities of retirement, the explosion of leisure time, and the potentialities of the retirement revolution, so that those who are dissatisfied or bored with their present role will realize that they can change their lives and that they have a whole lifetime ahead of them when they retire." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (August 4, 1967): 21450-21451.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2295, a bill to provide certain services for government employees to assist them in preparing for retirement. The bill is referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (August 15, 1967): 22582-22585.
- Senator Brewster (D-MD) submits an address by Senator Mondale at the Public Rally for the Waxter Center for Senior Citizens in Baltimore, MD. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (October 25, 1967): 30072-30073.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2554, "a bill to provide Federal employees with a comprehensive program of preretirement counseling and assistance;" the bill is similar to S. 2295 of the 90th Congress. The bill is referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (July 7, 1969): 18419-18420.
- Senator Mondale announces a hearing on "The Federal Role in Encouraging Preretirement Training and New Work-Lifetime Patterns." 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (July 14, 1969): 19396.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 1392, a bill to provide assistance in preparing for retirement to government employees: "In a society which is both work oriented and youth oriented, retirement can produce a real identity crisis, and often a loss of interest in living. Yet, with adequate advance preparation, retirement from a job need not mean retirement from life. Techniques of self-renewal that will enable personal growth in every situation must be fostered." The bill is referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (March 29, 1971): 8316, 8323.
- Senator Mondale discusses the "retirement revolution," stating that "retirement is now affecting more people for more years in their lifetime than ever before;" he discusses recommendations made by the White House Conference on Aging and addresses particular needs of minority and rural older people. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (March 3, 1972): 6822-6825.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 1882, providing services to government employees to assist them in preparing for retirement: "In a society which is both work oriented and youth oriented, retirement can produce a real identity crisis, and often a loss of interest in living. Yet, with adequate advance preparation, retirement from a job need not mean retirement from life. Techniques of self-renewal that will enable personal growth in every situation must be fostered." The bill is referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (May 23, 1973): 16658, 16702-16703.
- Senator Mondale introduces S. 2632, providing services to government employees to assist them in preparing for retirement. The bill is referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121(November 6, 1975): 35272, 35282-35283.
Speeches & Publications Submitted
- Senator Mondale submits an article from the Minneapolis Tribune detailing the success of Medicare in Minnesota; he states, "Yet most impressive of all is the fact that 95 percent of all Minnesotans over the age of 65—375,300 men and women—have been relieved by this program of the psychological and sometimes all too real burden imposed by the high cost of recovering from catastrophic illness in old age. It is not really possible to measure the success of Medicare in this sense, but it is sufficient to know that a giant step has been taken in the direction of assuring fuller, more secure and more meaningful retirement years for all elderly Americans." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (July 21, 1967): 19696-19697.
- Senator Mondale submits an article that discusses the issues of forced retirement and the difficulties faced by those retiring. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (February 7, 1969): 3239-3242.
- Senator Mondale submits an article discussing John Deere's practice of employing retirees. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (March 24, 1969): 7338.
- Senator Mondale submits an article discussing a program for retired professionals. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (April 3, 1969): 8657-8658.
- Senator Mondale submits letters to the editor supporting him in his fight against the rise in Medicare fees. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (January 20, 1970): 412.
- Senator Mondale expresses concern over the administration's lack of funding for programs for the elderly; he submits articles from the Minneapolis Tribune on the quality of life of the elderly in Minneapolis, highlighting concerns regarding inflation, housing and medical care. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (February 16, 1970): 3387-3390.
- Senator Mondale submits editorials discussing deplorable conditions in some nursing homes. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (December 8, 1971): 45365-45366.
- Senator Mondale stresses the need for continuing education for the elderly and submits the education recommendations of the White House Conference on Aging. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (December 10, 1971): 46300-46301.
- Senator Mondale submits Senator Williams' (D-NJ) address to the Society of Actuaries on the importance of private pension plans. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (April 6, 1972): 11669-11670.
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles discussing the shortcomings of private pension plans. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (March 14, 1973): 7850-7855.
- Senator Mondale submits Senator Nelson's (D-WI) speech outlining the needs of the elderly to The Allied Council of Senior Citizens. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (May 30, 1974): 16991-16993.
- Senator Mondale submits the keynote address given by Professor William Haber at a conference on aging entitled "The Economics of Aging: Toward 2001." 94th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (September 17, 1975): 29041-29042.
- Senator Mondale submits a series of articles discussing a comprehensive program at the College of St. Thomas for older adults. 94th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (February 23, 1976): 4005-4008.