John B. Larson
Representative for Connecticut · Democratic · United States
“She knows more about soil and soil content and the right kind of fertilizer, and what to do. Our backyard and front yard are ablossom with flowers and vegetables that come from her nurturing and caring. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? None of those flowers or those plants or the gardening ever say thank you. They don't speak at all.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Speaker, I think this is true of most Members of Congress. The people who often don't get the praise they richly deserve are the spouses. Having gone through several elections--having been here for what will be 28 years--I can't think of anyone who did more on behalf of me and my children and, frankly, the First Congressional District and…”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“They never seek the footlights. They never truly receive the thanks that they richly deserve. More than a master gardener, my wife, Leslie, has been there for me and my children and has done so persistently, even when things have been tough and even when there is unfair scrutiny and expectation. I don't think Congress does enough, Mr.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my fellow townspeople of my hometown of East Hartford. In what was a heartbreaking loss for them in the primary on September 11, I wanted to especially thank them for the number of thank-yous, the cards, and the media attention that I received from all of them from the bottom of their hearts. Mr.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Speaker, I rise today--and I will submit remarks later for the Record--to thank my wife, Leslie Larson, for her continued support and love for me but, as importantly, for her children, the community she lives in, the great State, and, of course, this great Nation we all love. ____________________”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I also heard Representative John Kasich on television, just before I came here, talking about how Democrats don't have a plan; they don't have a plan that they are going to utilize. I have great respect for John, but I will say yes, under Hakeem Jeffries, we do have a plan, especially as it relates to Social Security.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
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“Speaker, I rise today--and I will submit remarks later for the Record--to thank my wife, Leslie Larson, for her continued support and love for me but, as importantly, for her children, the community she lives in, the great State, and, of course, this great Nation we all love. ____________________”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“They never seek the footlights. They never truly receive the thanks that they richly deserve. More than a master gardener, my wife, Leslie, has been there for me and my children and has done so persistently, even when things have been tough and even when there is unfair scrutiny and expectation. I don't think Congress does enough, Mr. Speaker, for our spouses. In fact, we seem to have done less and less over the 28 years that I have been here. There ought to be more recognition for the true sacrifice that they have made. I don't think there is a Member here in the body, married, unmarried, or whatnot, who can think of people who have sacrificed more than the loved ones who they represent. Mr.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“She knows more about soil and soil content and the right kind of fertilizer, and what to do. Our backyard and front yard are ablossom with flowers and vegetables that come from her nurturing and caring. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? None of those flowers or those plants or the gardening ever say thank you. They don't speak at all. What she revels in is how she is able to take them from seedling to flowering-- without a thank-you and without applause. It is the same way that she has stood by me over all these many years of public life and, also, our children, who she had to nurture and to explain after September 11 what was happening in Washington, D.C., and whether Dad was okay. It is spouses who give up so much of their lives on behalf of the elected officials that they represent. They do so willingly. They don't complain.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Speaker, I think this is true of most Members of Congress. The people who often don't get the praise they richly deserve are the spouses. Having gone through several elections--having been here for what will be 28 years--I can't think of anyone who did more on behalf of me and my children and, frankly, the First Congressional District and this great country of ours than my wife, Leslie. Why do I say that? Like most spouses, Mr. Speaker, they do their job quietly. They do it without recognition. They do it because of their belief in the spouse who is running, but also to nurture their children. Oftentimes, they are viewed as an appendage. Oftentimes, they are the ones who don't get the attention, nor do they ever seek it. My wife is a master gardener, and she is incredible.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my fellow townspeople of my hometown of East Hartford. In what was a heartbreaking loss for them in the primary on September 11, I wanted to especially thank them for the number of thank-yous, the cards, and the media attention that I received from all of them from the bottom of their hearts. Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to rise and at the same time acknowledge someone who rarely gets thanked. Mr.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“It is long overdue that we not only address this but enhance this so that Americans get what they richly deserve, especially those in Iowa. ____________________”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“I would hope it would be bipartisan, but we can't even get a hearing, let alone pass a bill. What is there to be afraid of? Every constituent listening to this ought to demand of their Member of Congress--if you disagree, if you have got a better plan, for God's sake, put it forward. How much longer do the American people have to wait to receive the benefits that they paid for? This is an earned benefit. This is no entitlement like the other side calls it. People paid for it, and you can check it out right on your paycheck. It says FICA, Federal insurance contribution. Whose? Yours. You have paid for this benefit. Your government, your Congress, has let you down. They have not addressed this since 1971.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Do you know how much money comes into your district monthly to those recipients? That is $318 million that Mr. Trump and Republican leadership want to cut. A 20 percent cut across the board to Social Security would decimate people across all districts, including Iowa and Connecticut and every other district. We have a plan. Here is our plan. Social Security--and the American people, especially the people in our audience today ought to understand--hasn't been enhanced by Congress since 1971. Richard Nixon was President of the United States. There are more than 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security. Of those 70 million, for over 30 million of them, this is the only retirement benefit that they have. Madam Speaker, we want to make sure that there is an across-the-board increase.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I also heard Representative John Kasich on television, just before I came here, talking about how Democrats don't have a plan; they don't have a plan that they are going to utilize. I have great respect for John, but I will say yes, under Hakeem Jeffries, we do have a plan, especially as it relates to Social Security. Our colleagues on the other side do not have a plan, or the plan that they have proposed is to cut benefits to Social Security. Madam Speaker, I don't know if you realize how many Social Security recipients you have in your district, but there are over 170,000 of them, including 134,000 retirees, including 18,000 disabled workers, 8,000 widows, 3,000 spouses, and 9,000 children. Madam Speaker, here is the most important thing. Most Members of Congress don't realize this.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I rise to first and foremost submit an article by--I hope everyone gets to read it. We will be circulating it to all Members--about the Trump plan to go after our university system and destroy the research that goes on at our universities and massive cuts. As Mr. Zakaria points out, this would decimate our economy, and I think every Member of Congress needs to know.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“The actions of Elon Musk and the President and, until this body speaks out and up, the actions of the Republican-controlled House and Senate is to go along with what Elon Musk and President Trump are providing. That means a direct cut to the Speaker's district and all of the other 434 districts and all of the individuals who rely on Social Security. It is a shame that, in the wealthiest Nation in the world, over 5 million of our fellow Americans who paid into the insurance program get below-poverty-level checks from the wealthiest government and the wealthiest Nation in the world simply because Congress hasn't acted. It is equally shameful that not since 1971 have any of these programs been enhanced. Even last December, when teachers and firefighters and police officers were finally included, it was not paid for.”
House of Representatives8 April 2025Source ↗
“It is long overdue that Congress not only protects Social Security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and children but expands it because it hasn't been expanded since 1971. That is shameful and long overdue. Instead, Elon Musk is going about and talking about how he is going to cut programs and singling out Social Security, Medicare, and national defense. Yet, the only thing he is really talking about is Social Security. Mr. Speaker, that is because, of those three programs, Social Security is the only one that has $2.7 trillion in its trust fund. That is the people's money. That is what every single American has put into that program. Mr. Speaker, it is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit.”
House of Representatives8 April 2025Source ↗
“Speaker, I also rise to discuss Social Security today, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children, as well. Mr. Speaker, it is dismaying to see the President's proposal and Elon Musk's proposal to cut Social Security. Let's be clear about it. That is exactly what this administration is doing when they are taking SSA and diminishing its field forces and closing regional offices. In the Speaker's district, there are over 160,000 recipients who receive Social Security benefits. What most Members don't realize is that also means $291 million that comes into the Speaker's district every month. Mr. Speaker, that hasn't been changed since 1971. Have a few things changed since 1971?”
House of Representatives8 April 2025Source ↗
“Typical of Geno Auriemma, what he did before he accepted the award or said anything, he congratulated South Carolina and their coach and their achievements and the incredible season that they had, as well. It is nice in athletics and sports to still see the class rings and the recognition of contributions of student athletes. Watching the NCAA tournament and watching both men's and women's collegiate athletes compete, it reminds us of just how great of a nation we live in. In this great Nation, I am equally proud to recognize the number one program of all time is that of the University of Connecticut, led by Coach Geno Auriemma. Social Security Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr.”
House of Representatives8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today, first and foremost, to talk about the incredible achievement of Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team, the winningest program in the Nation's history. They performed remarkably well throughout the tournament, and it is just a great honor and a tribute for the entire Connecticut delegation to recognize this outstanding achievement.”
House of Representatives8 April 2025Source ↗
“Why is it that hardworking people in this gallery should pay into a system all their lives and get a benefit, yet billionaires can be excluded and don't have to pay in the same amount or some totally circumvent the law altogether and pay nothing? It is long overdue, Mr. Speaker, don't you agree, for a vote to take place. For all the citizens in your district, the more than $300 million that comes in, imagine what that does to the local economy in your district, how it will help out the local grocery store, the pharmacy, and, most importantly, the individual families in that region. Mr. Speaker, I ask that Republicans stand up to join us in enhancing Social Security, not cutting it.”
House of Representatives24 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children. That is, of course, Social Security. Last night, in his state of the Union and over the weekend, the President and Elon Musk referred to Social Security as a scam and a Ponzi scheme.”
House of Representatives5 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak and address the Chamber about the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the Nation's number one antipoverty program for children. I speak, of course, of Social Security. Social Security is currently under attack by the Trump administration with just this weekend, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Trump calling Social Security a scam and Mr.”
House of Representatives4 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak directly about the Nation's preeminent antipoverty program for the elderly and the Nation's preeminent antipoverty program for children. This is something that Congress and the administration need to focus on.”
House of Representatives3 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children. That program is Social Security. Yet, Mr. Speaker, as you know, Congress has not addressed or enhanced Social Security in more than 54 years. Richard Nixon was President of the United States the last time that Congress enhanced Social Security.”
House of Representatives24 February 2025Source ↗
“Now, he is saying that he is not even accountable to the courts because he and the billionaire class have gotten together and said: Don't worry. No one on the Republican side of the House and Senate who controls both the House and Senate is going to speak up and challenge us. We need to protect Americans' privacy and their Social Security. For 40 percent of all Americans, Social Security is the basis for their retirement and their retirement savings. For 28 million Americans, Social Security is the only thing that they have, and that is why we have to make sure that we are protecting it, as well.”
House of Representatives10 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address ongoing concerns about Social Security, especially just in this past week since Mr. Musk has decided that he, in an unauthorized position not approved by the Senate and with no accountability, is after everybody's data and information at SSA. Mr.”
House of Representatives10 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Social Security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the Nation's number one antipoverty program for children. Every Member of this 435-person body is impacted by Social Security. It might surprise you, Mr. Speaker, that Social Security has not been enhanced in over 50 years. For what purpose is Mr.”
House of Representatives4 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I am here this morning, and I rise to speak and address the Nation's number one insurance program: Social Security. Mr. Speaker, it might surprise you that on average, there are about 150,000 Social Security recipients per district.”
House of Representatives22 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a critical issue for all of America, Social Security. Mr. Speaker, as you know, there are more than 70 million Social Security recipients in the United States of America. What most Americans don't realize is that it has been more than 50 years since Congress last enhanced Social Security. Richard Nixon was President of the United States the last time Congress voted to enhance benefits.”
House of Representatives21 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the concern that faces the United States Congress, one that it has avoided and neglected for more than 54 years. Richard Nixon was the last President to enhance Social Security. That was in 1971. All of us are concerned on both sides of the aisle, but concern is no substitute for action. It is long overdue that Congress takes a vote on behalf of the American people.”
House of Representatives15 January 2025Source ↗