Left-wing group extols Kaptur’s Social Security stance, which includes taxation

While a liberal-leaning group argues that U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, has “voted in favor of retirees each and every time,” an examination of her voting record shows a different story.

Critics note that in March 1983, shortly after she entered Congress, Kaptur voted for H.R. 1900, the Social Security Amendments of 1983. The measure introduced a provision allowing up to 50% of Social Security benefits to be included in taxable income if a taxpayer’s income exceeded specific thresholds.

A decade later, in August 1993, Kaptur voted in favor of H.R. 2264, which increased the portion of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 50% to 85%.

“This change in the tax rate was one provision in a massive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) passed that year,” according to the Social Security Administration website. “The OBRA 1993 legislation was deadlocked in the Senate on a tie vote of 50-50 and Vice President Al Gore cast the deciding vote in favor of passage. President Clinton signed the bill into law on August 10, 1993.”

In a similar vein, in September 2017, Kaptur voted against H.R. 2792, which would have barred those with outstanding warrants from receiving Social Security benefits. Last year, Kaptur voted against the Working Families Tax Cuts, which included a provision increasing the deduction for seniors on Social Security.

“Out of touch Democrat Marcy Kaptur has tried to make life more expensive for Ohio seniors for over 30 years,” National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Zach Bannon said in a statement. “Kaptur’s tax attack on social security is a slap in the face to the hardworking people of northwest Ohio, and they will hold her accountable at the ballot box this fall.”

However, not everyone is against Kaptur’s position on Social Security.

A group called the Alliance for Retired Americans, a progressive 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, gave Kaptur a 100% legislative score, claiming in an X post that she “voted in favor of retirees each and every time.” On its website, the group, founded by the AFL-CIO, said it is working to build “a nationwide grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda-one that respects work and strengthens families.”

🗳️ In 2025, @repmarcykaptur voted in favor of retirees each and every time, earning a perfect 💯 percent score from us on our Congressional Voting Record.

Find out how your members of Congress scored: https://t.co/HEAPKc3R60 pic.twitter.com/cL0F8YNzfD

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) March 25, 2026

Republicans have frequently targeted Kaptur, who has served in Congress since January 1983, hoping to flip her Ninth Congressional District. They’ve previously called out her positions on the SAVE Act, transgender issues, and the government shutdown.

Ohioans 65 or older make up the second-largest age group in the Ninth Congressional District, accounting for more than 30% of voters.