Congressman Danny K. Davis on Social Security

Strike the Last Word – Markup Social Security Bills HR 3667 and HR 3784 – 6/7/23

I support the two Social Security bills before us today, but I am seriously disappointed that the Republican Leadership is doing nothing to increase benefits for seniors, nor to strengthen the Trust Fund, nor to fix the WEP/GOP.  The Republican Leadership is doing nothing to improve customer service, nor reduce wait times, nor stop the closing of field offices.

In fact, next week the Ways and Means Republicans will spend hundreds of billions of dollars – if not a trillion dollars – to help the wealthiest businesses. But, this week, they can’t spend any money to increase benefits for seniors, nor fix WEP/GPO, nor improve services.

Republican extremism is the greatest threat to Social Security.  The Republican Study Committee budget showed their road map to make devastating cuts to Social Security.  Then, this spring, every Ways and Means Republican voted to cut funding for the Social Security Administration.  Then, just last week, after the Democrats successfully protected Social Security in the budget negotiations, Speaker McCarthy called for a Commission to examine the entire budget – including cutting Social Security, setting up cuts.

I support the two bills before us, but I reject the Republican priority of tax cuts for the wealthy before increasing benefits to seniors.