Skip to main content

DeLauro Statement on the 82nd Anniversary of Social Security

August 14, 2017

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 14, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement marking the 82nd anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law.

"Social Security is one of our nation's most effective social safety net programs, providing a stable and secure source of income for our nation's seniors and families. With Social Security's enactment 82 years ago today, our federal government made the promise that no one who works hard all their life should fall into poverty when they retire. Today, we continue to keep that promise, as Social Security lifts 22 million seniors out of poverty each year.

"Yet it is not just Social Security that helps fulfill our moral duty to protect Americans when they need it most. Critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act work together to provide a stable foundation for our nation's families. These programs make good on the common-sense notion that high-quality medical care should be affordable and accessible to all, not just a privileged few.

"Unfortunately, President Trump and Republicans in Congress seem intent on destroying these programs. Trump's budget would cut $64 billion from Social Security, targeted directly at disabled Americans. Moreover, House Republicans passed a bill earlier this year to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut more than $800 billion from Medicaid. At a time when Americans struggling with stagnant incomes and a lack of good-paying jobs, Trump and Congressional Republicans' proposals would make things even worse.

"That is why it is Congressional Democrats and all Americans must keep up the fight to protect and expand social safety net programs like Social Security. The 60 million Americans receiving Social Security and countless more who will receive it expect nothing less."

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Social Security Administration.