Social Security will announce a cost-of-living adjustment on Thursday 鈥� and it could be about a 9% increase. But as , the long-term solvency of the program remains uncertain.
Social Security鈥檚 future was a central issue in Tuesday night鈥檚 debate between the two candidates for 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 1st Congressional District.
Incumbent Democrat John Larson, chairman of the House Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, has .
鈥淚鈥檓 not just about protecting Social Security, I鈥檓 about expanding the benefits. Because it hasn鈥檛 been done. It hasn鈥檛 been done in 51 years,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淭his is a need that Congress can no longer neglect.鈥�
His Republican challenger, Larry Lazor, said any plan to save Social Security needs to include permanent changes to benefits.
鈥淪o seniors don鈥檛 think they鈥檙e going to get a benefit and then it鈥檚 taken away. Let鈥檚 have it paid for,鈥� Lazor said. 鈥淵es, we need to increase taxes to save Social Security. I totally get that. We need to come up with a plan that works.鈥�
Under the current system, Social Security benefits are only expected to be .
Both candidates found common ground on the issue of abortion
Abortion rights continue to be a topic of debate between Democrats and Republicans heading into November鈥檚 midterm elections. But Larson and Lazor found a lot of common ground on the issue.
Larson said he will continue to fight for abortion rights.
鈥淭hese are the kinds of decisions that should be left up to doctors and nurse practitioners,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淏ut, most importantly, to the women who are involved and who have to go through the ordeal of pregnancy.鈥�
Lazor is an OB-GYN who has worked in Hartford since 1990.
鈥淚鈥檝e been an advocate for women鈥檚 health since that time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think I could be a good influence in Congress, talking about this issue. I鈥檝e met with women 鈥� one-on-one 鈥� in very difficult situations, talking about their decisions.鈥�
Larson commended Lazor for about how he believes outlawing elective abortions will increase dangers for women.
Lazor called abortion a last resort. But he said protecting elective abortions 鈥渋s best for the potential mother, best for the family and best for society.鈥�
About the candidates
represents 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He took office in 1999 and has served 12 terms.
He grew up in East Hartford and attended college and high school in 黑料吃瓜网.
In Congress, Larson has served as the chair of the Democratic Caucus of the House. He also promotes his chairmanship on the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security.
works as a physician at Hartford Hospital. Lazor and his wife have lived in the Hartford area for more than 50 years.
He describes himself as a moderate Republican focused on the economy. He has said his time working in health care provides him with a fresh perspective to serve in government.
Video: Watch the debate
黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Lisa Hagen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
