Sen. Daniel Akaka delivered a speech on the Senate floor Monday afternoon, calling for his colleagues to compromise in the ongoing debate over the federal government’s debt limit. 

Akaka said the government “cannot guarantee” Social Security checks will continue to be distributed without such compromise. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the country’s credit standing by preventing the government from defaulting. 

Emphasizing the importance of continued investment in federal programs, the 86-year-old senator recalled the extent to which the government helped him, personally. He pointed to his use of the original G.I Bill to attend college after World War II as an example. 

“None of these investments simply happen,” he said. “They were made by past congresses and presidents from both parties… Americans are following this debate because they have a stake in the outcome.”