DeLauro: Cuts to Social Security Administration Would Impact All Americans

New Haven, CT— Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) visited the Wallingford Senior Center today and discussed how the proposed House Republican budget cuts on the Social Security Administration would affect Americans.

The proposed $1.7 billion cut in funding for the Social Security Administration could result in the agency closing for a month, leaving current beneficiaries without the help they need, new retirees without the benefits they have paid for, the current workforce without the knowledge that their wages are being accounted for, and even newborn children without Social Security numbers.

Congresswoman DeLauro was joined by local residents who depend on Social Security and spoke about its importance.

"I agree that the need to reduce the deficit is clear and urgent— but the question is: Where do we start? I believe we should start by ending special interest waste, tax breaks for corporations who ship our jobs overseas, and subsidies for oil companies. And that we should make all programs accountable and end the ones that do not work. But the House majority has proposed budget cuts that will harm seniors, the middle-class and working families.

"These reckless cuts will mean that the Social Security Administration, which has tied generation to generation in this country for over 75 years, ensuring our seniors comfortable retirement after decades of service, and providing a safety net for those who can no longer work due to an accident or disability, will not be able to fulfill its promise to our workers. The Social Security Administration is overworked and understaffed right now as it is, and most of the agency is already under a hiring freeze. And if these extreme cuts are enacted, there will be at least 2,500 fewer Social Security workers serving the public, and about 1,000 fewer workers at state offices reviewing disability claims. That is going to mean more mistakes, longer wait times, and more denials for people who are seriously ill or in great financial need.

"We should not be targeting Social Security to cut the deficit-- especially when, as the New York Times reported last week, huge companies like General Electric pay nothing in taxes. Men and women rely on these resources to get by. We have to do what is right for people, and that means standing up for seniors, standing up for middle class and working families, and standing up for Social Security."