Senator Bill Nelson from Florida's position on SS...from an email
Thank you for contacting me regarding proposed changes to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and state of affairs in Washington. I share your concerns and agree that seniors' benefits should keep pace with rising prices for goods like medicine and food.
Over the past few years, we have seen COLAs as high as 5.8 percent and, in some years, there has been no adjustment at all. The Social Security Administration increased the COLA by 1.7 percent for the current year and expects to announce next year’s COLA in the coming days.
Some have suggested replacing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) currently used to calculate the Social Security COLA with different measures of inflation. One such measure is the so-called chained CPI. Proponents of the chained CPI argue that it would be a more accurate measure of changes in the cost of living because it accounts for the substitution of less-expensive goods for goods that have increased in price. The chained CPI generally results in lower measured inflation compared to the current measure, which in turn would typically result in lower annual Social Security COLAs. The effects of these lower COLA compound over time and would result in a fairly significant benefit cut for all seniors. I am very concerned about the impact such a change could have on our seniors, especially the most vulnerable members of this population.
As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I am committed to getting Federal spending under control. I have been selected to participate in the budget negotiations between the House and Senate over the coming months to develop a long-term budget that addresses our fiscal challenges and prevents another breakdown in governance as we saw with the shutdown. I am open to a range of new ideas that will reduce the debt but am also mindful that Social Security didn’t get us in the fiscal situation we are in today. Social Security does face long-term actuarial challenges, but it can be strengthened and maintained with sensible, bipartisan reforms.
I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. I will continue to work to ensure that Social Security remains a meaningful source of retirement security for our seniors. Please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Sincerely,
Bill Nelson
= new reply since forum marked as read
29 Senators Say No Cuts to Social Security Benefits – What About the Others?
The vast majority of American’s couldn’t agree more. However, we have to wonder why only 29 signatures on this letter? Where are the others?
So who didn’t sign? Max Baucus, Michael Bennet, Jeff Bingaman, Tom Carper, Bob Casey, Kent Conrad, Chris Coons, Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein, Kay Hagan, John Kerry, Amy Klobuchar, Herb Kohl, Mary Landrieu, Joe Lieberman, Claire McCaskill, Ben Nelson, Bill Nelson, Mark Pryor, Jeanne Shaheen, Jon Tester, Mark Udall, Mark Warner, Jim Webb.
http://www.ncpssm.org/EntitledtoKnow/entryid/1936/29-Senators-Say-No-Cuts-to-Social-Security-Benefits-What-About-the-Others
Obama has plenty of Dem votes to override a filibuster. 
PS: Yes, I realize there are a handful in that list who are no longer Senators. Even without them, there are still enough Third Wayers willing to send seniors to the cat food aisle.
Gotta admit, that's what makes me nervous. 
