Larson Joins Sanders, Wyden, Dingell, and O’Malley to Call for Congress to Protect and Enhance Social Security

“There is a lot to celebrate about the 90th anniversary, but nothing to celebrate when five million of our fellow Americans get below poverty-level checks from the wealthiest nation in the world, and the Congress’s number one anti-poverty program for the elderly and children to get a below a poverty level check – that has to change. All of us are committed to that – expanding benefits is what's needed,” said Larson. “I am so proud that Hakeem Jeffries is going to be leading the way in the House of Representatives… so that when we take back the House of Representatives, this will be our top priority, and action will take place within the first 100 days. With 10,000 baby boomers becoming eligible a day for Social Security, it’s time to not only speak up, but speak out and act.” 

Rep. Larson has put forward a plan to enhance Social Security benefits, so no senior can retire into poverty after a lifetime of work. During the Trump Administration, 20% of field office staff has been cut at the Social Security Administration, and ‘DOGE’ has twice tried to slash phone services for elderly and disabled Americans. When Elon Musk led ‘DOGE,’ he said Social Security was one of the Administration’s key targets to cut, and just last month, President Trump’s Treasury Secretary admitted the Republican Budget contains ‘a backdoor to privatizing Social Security.’  

The national town hall call came just days before the Protect Our Checks National Day of Action on August 16^th. 

You can read a full transcript of Rep. Larson’s remarks below:   

“Well thank you Nancy for those kind words, and I want to thank Social Security Works and Unrig the Economy. Nancy, and I think Bernie said it best, as did Ron, you are to [Social Security Works] what Frances Perkins was to FDR – in terms of being the consistent and persistent champion, and as all of us on this call know oftentimes it seems like a lonely spot to be in. But because of that work and especially the work of my colleagues, Ron and Bernie, of course they got all their good upbringing in the House of Representatives, but they have been out there talking about this their whole careers. They don’t take a day off from this because they know in the final analysis, it’s going to take that kind of effort, and you mentioned Debbie's history with her father-in-law, and of course the great John Dingell, who all of us served with, understands that’s what we have to be – committed and persistent – not just to protect Social Security, but it needs to be expanded.  

“The last time it was expanded Richard Nixon was President of the United States. That’s simply unacceptable. And here’s the facts: you’ve heard them from our colleagues, but this is the truth: more than 73 million Americans rely on Social Security, and the point has been made — it’s never missed a payment. We don’t have to go back to 1929. We can go back to 2008, 2009, when people saw their 401k become a 101k, and Social Security never missed a benefit payment.  

“There is a lot to celebrate about the 90^th anniversary, but nothing to celebrate when five million of our fellow Americans get below poverty-level checks from the wealthiest nation in the world, and the Congress’s number one anti-poverty program for the elderly and children to get a below a poverty level check – that has to change. All of us are committed to that – expanding benefits is what's needed. Imagine again, since 1971, there hasn’t been a full expansion of Social Security across-the-board. It’s long overdue, and people depend on it. I tell our Republican colleagues all the time as well that this is the best economic development plan that we can possibly offer. All 435 districts get on average $280 million plus in their district on a monthly basis, and that hasn’t changed since 1971 – and where do they spend that money? Right back into the local economy. Right back to heating and cooling their homes, paying for their rent, their mortgage, [getting food at the grocery store], [at the pharmacy], put a little gas in their automobile. That’s the genius of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and that’s why the persistence of Bernie is going to be needed, that’s why the persistence of Senator Wyden and Debbie [is] so important, but most importantly because of Social Security Works, and what you’ve done to stay out there and making sure that people just don’t celebrate the 90^th anniversary of Social Security, but this is a call to action.  

“I am so proud that Hakeem Jeffries is going to be leading the way in the House of Representatives, joined by Rich Neal and myself, but virtually as you said, Nancy, the entire Democratic Caucus with Debbie Dingell leading the messaging on this, so that when we take back the House of Representatives, this will be our top priority, and action will take place within the first 100 days. That’s what Democrats need to be talking about. Frankly, it’s not just Democrats. It's about the American people because Social Security is loved and approved by Republicans, unaffiliated, and Democrats all across the board. Let’s take this fight to the Congress, but let’s make sure that the public knows how important this is, and with 10,000 baby boomers becoming eligible a day for Social Security, it’s time to not only speak up, but speak out and act.  

“Thank you, Nancy, [Social Security Works], and to my colleagues for all that we’re doing to move this effort forward.”