Larson Slams Latest Trump Attack on Social Security

East Hartford, CT - Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut phone service at the Social Security Administration (SSA), their second one this year. 

“Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced they would pare back phone services at SSA, requiring millions of seniors to go online or in-person to field offices to keep receiving their benefits – the same field offices they tried to close,” said Larson. “We pushed back, and they backed down. Now, Donald Trump and his ‘DOGE’ are back at it, hoping the American people will look the other way. The Social Security Administration estimates that this move will force more than 3 million seniors to travel to field offices, all while staff are being cut and wait times for service are skyrocketing. Make no mistake –Donald Trump is trying to dismantle Social Security from within, creating chaos and confusion so he can slash and privatize it before our very eyes, something his own Treasury Secretary just admitted. Some of the American people may have been born at night, but not last night. House Democrats are in the fight. We will not let Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies go after Americans’ hard-earned benefits to make another buck. They are counting on Congress to not only protect, but enhance, Social Security – and we are ready to get the job done.” 

Earlier this year, the Administration announced it would stop processing new benefit applications and direct deposit changes over the phone. Rep. Larson led Members of Congress and Americans from across the country in speaking out in opposition, forcing SSA to delay, and eventually, walk back their planned cuts.