Cotton urges growth and anti-fraud measures to shore up Social Security

Senator Cotton offered broad policy directions he says would protect Social Security over the long term: grow the economy, increase workforce participation and reduce fraud in disability benefits.

Asked how to avoid depletion of the Social Security trust fund within his potential next term, Cotton said increased economic growth and higher labor-force participation are the "best solution," because more workers earning higher wages would contribute payroll taxes. He added that cracking down on Social Security disability fraud is a necessary supplement to protect funds for the truly disabled and for seniors who depend on the program.

Cotton emphasized that disability fraud exists and that anti-fraud work by the previous administration had focused on the issue. He did not set out specific legislative changes, dollar savings, or a detailed timeline for implementation during the interview.