On the recordApril 8, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I also rise to discuss Social Security today, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children, as well. Mr. Speaker, it is dismaying to see the President's proposal and Elon Musk's proposal to cut Social Security. Let's be clear about it. That is exactly what this administration is doing when they are taking SSA and diminishing its field forces and closing regional offices. In the Speaker's district, there are over 160,000 recipients who receive Social Security benefits. What most Members don't realize is that also means $291 million that comes into the Speaker's district every month. Mr. Speaker, that hasn't been changed since 1971. Have a few things changed since 1971? It is long overdue that Congress not only protects Social Security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and children but expands it because it hasn't been expanded since 1971. That is shameful and long overdue. Instead, Elon Musk is going about and talking about how he is going to cut programs and singling out Social Security, Medicare, and national defense. Yet, the only thing he is really talking about is Social Security. Mr. Speaker, that is because, of those three programs, Social Security is the only one that has $2.7 trillion in its trust fund. That is the people's money. That is what every single American has put into that program. Mr. Speaker, it is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit.…





