John B. Larson
Representative for Connecticut · Democratic · United States
“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.”
“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.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1631-H1632] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REPUBLICANS PLAN TO CUT SOCIAL SECURITY (Mr.”
“Under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, that is what you will see, an across-the-board increase, a tax cut proposal for people who have to work out of necessity who would end up having to pay taxes on their Social Security. We pay for it to make sure that it doesn't impact the trust fund.”
“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.”
“On Saturday, the 24-year-old forward was among eight players to make their U.S. debut. ``There was a level of uncertainty, just because I've never been in an environment like this,'' Agyemang said of his first camp. ``I just wanted to come in being myself, completely myself, and, showing it on and off the field.”
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“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. ____________________”
“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.”
“Under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, that is what you will see, an across-the-board increase, a tax cut proposal for people who have to work out of necessity who would end up having to pay taxes on their Social Security. We pay for it to make sure that it doesn't impact the trust fund. We also pay for the repeal of WEP and GPO because that is vitally important as well. We also make sure that there is no longer a waiting period for disability where we see that so many people have died waiting to receive their disability payment. It is long overdue for the number one antipoverty program for the elderly [[Page H1632]] and for children of this country. More disability goes out to veterans from Social Security than goes out from the VA. Congress needs to act.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1631-H1632] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REPUBLICANS PLAN TO CUT SOCIAL SECURITY (Mr. Larson of Connecticut was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. 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.”
“Soccer was central to their upbringing with neighborhood games, school teams and youth leagues. During World Cups, family and friends gathered to watch the Black Stars, Ghana's national team. In 2006, 2010 and 2014, the United States and Ghana faced each other at the World Cup, with the Black Stars winning the first two. ``I remember 2010 I was actually at one of my teammates' house,'' Agyemang said. ``We were having a pool party. All the parents were in the living room. Whoever scores, they'll scream, then the other group will scream. It was a lot because it was a diverse place. I think I was rooting for both.'' Despite excelling for his high school and club, he did not receive any offers from NCAA Division I or II programs. He landed at Eastern Connecticut State. Agyemang was the league's rookie of the year.”
“``He's still young, still has room to improve. . . . I am so happy with him. His performance was really good. He's capable to add [something] different to the team that sometimes we were missing a little bit. It's a very good alternative.'' Over the years, the U.S. program has employed tall center backs and goalkeepers but few towering forwards. Agyemang sprouted five inches before his junior year in high school and kept growing. ``He's apparently 6-4, but I think he's like 6-6,'' said U.S. left back DeJuan Jones, who has played against Agyemang in MLS. ``He's got the Height--tough to mark on corners, for sure--and then he's very quick and agile, and his holdup play is nice as well. It's nice to be on his team for once. One to watch out for.'' Agyemang's parents emigrated from Ghana and juggled multiple jobs while raising three children.”
“On Saturday, the 24-year-old forward was among eight players to make their U.S. debut. ``There was a level of uncertainty, just because I've never been in an environment like this,'' Agyemang said of his first camp. ``I just wanted to come in being myself, completely myself, and, showing it on and off the field. I think I was able to do that, but the guys and the coaching staff made it way more easy than I expected and just made it an experience I won't forget.'' Patrick Agyemang had never been invited to a U.S. camp at any level until this month. Agile and 6-foot-4, Agyemang displayed qualities in the open field and on set pieces Saturday. He drew a penalty kick less than two minutes into the match--Matko Miljevic failed to convert--and proved dangerous on the counterattack. ``I think he can be very, very, very useful,'' Pochettino said.”
“I don't know how, but I would love to be on that field, to play for the country and be able to know that my parents [someday] could come to this game and watch me.' '' Almost 15 years have passed, and Agyemang is in a U.S. uniform--not preparing for a World Cup but making gains with the national team after climbing the ladder as a relative unknown from NCAA Division III to Division I, to MLS's developmental league, then to MLS with Charlotte FC, where last year he made the league minimum ($71,401). In his first appearance for the national program at any level, Agyemang started and scored the second U.S. goal Saturday during a 3-1 victory over Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Agyemang (pronounced Aaw-jee-mawn) earned his place this month after scoring a team best 10 goals in MLS last year.”
“He lived a few minutes from the stadium in a working-class home the family called ``the Headquarters''--the place where he and his two brothers, parents and friends enjoyed most of their time together. With his participation and passion in the sport swelling, Patrick couldn't wait for kickoff against the Czech Republic. He stared out and saw Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and other stars pass through the players' tunnel and in that moment tried seeing himself someday making that walk in U.S. colors. ``It's funny, because I still kind of remember how I felt,'' he said Tuesday. ``It was a sense of excitement, and I was like: `This is where I want to be.”
“From being named a 2017 All-Conference soccer player while at East Hartford High School, to playing soccer for my alma mater, Eastern Connecticut State University, to his new position on the USMNT, Patrick's hometown has watched with pride as he represents the best of our community. The following article by Steven Goff, originally published in The Washington Post and republished in our local paper, The East Hartford Gazette, encapsulates Patrick's journey from spectator to soccer star: Patrick Agyemang was 9 when he found his seat at Rentschler Field in East Hartford to watch the U.S. men's national soccer team play one of its final tune-ups for the 2010 World Cup.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E300-E301] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING EAST HARTFORD'S PATRICK AGYEMANG: FROM PARKS AND RECREATION TO THE U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ______ HON. JOHN B. LARSON of connecticut in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to celebrate the remarkable achievements of East Hartford's own Patrick Agyemang, who recently joined the U.S. Men's National Team.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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?”
“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.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [House] [Page H1470] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] IN RECOGNITION OF LUIGI ``GENO'' AURIEMMA (Mr. Larson of Connecticut was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. 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.”