Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on H.R.3588, a bill  introduced by Congressman Eliot L. Engel and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Clarke. This bill would provide individuals who receive Social Security Retirement benefits with a three percent cost-of-living increase.

“The current method for determining cost-of-living increases for retired Americans does not account for dramatic increases in the cost-of-living in many parts of the United States, such as the community I represent in Brooklyn, where the cost of housing – as well as some products and services – has increased much more quickly than Social Security Retirement benefits. As a consequence, there are many older residents who are worried about paying rent or buying food – and some of them have already been displaced from their homes. We must honor the contributions of our parents and grandparents, not only in the holiday season but every day of the year.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.