CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE OUTLINES ACTION TO PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY
In the face of new and continued threats to the program, Morelle highlights action he supports to protect and bolster the program for generations to come
(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle was joined by Lifespan of Greater Rochester to discuss threats Social Security faces from Republican leaders in Washington. Congressman Morelle detailed legislation he supports to safeguard the program’s long-term vitality.
“More than 71 million Americans received a form of Social Security in 2023—including thousands of seniors here in Rochester. They earned these benefits, and they don’t deserve to have their livelihoods used as political bargaining chips,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Speaker Johnson and members of the House Republican Majority have indicated their willingness to gut the Social Security program, and I want seniors in our community to know I’m doing everything I can to fight back.”
Paul Caccamise,Vice President for Program at Lifespan of Greater Rochester, said: "Lifespan applauds Rep. Morelle's sponsorship of legislation in the House to keep Social Security benefits intact and to keep the Social Security system operating efficiently and solvently through the end of the century. Social security benefits are the main source of income for 40% of older adults in retirement. Any reduction in benefits would threaten the economic security and independence of thousands of older New Yorkers who rely on Social Security to meet everyday basic expenses."
Throughout 2024, Donald Trump repeatedly called for cuts to Social Security and other entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. These calls were echoed by the Republican Study Committee—a group representing nearly 80 percent of House Republicans—who released a budget proposal to make these cuts a reality.Rep. Rich McCormick also argued Democrats would have to come to the table and talk about ways to save money on these programs.
In 2020, Speaker Johnson, then-Chair of the Republican Study Committee, authored a report in which he advocated for something similar, including increasing the retirement age, lowering the annual COLA, revising the benefits formula, placing conditions on some benefits, and more. Other members of the House Republican Conference have echoed similar views.
Congressman Morelle has always fought to protect and strengthen Social Security, which is why he’s sponsoring legislation like:
- The Social Security 2100 Act, legislation to increase benefits for all beneficiaries, improve the Cost of Living Adjustments to reflect inflation, end the five-month waiting period for disability benefits, and more common-sense measures.
To learn more about Congressman Morelle’s efforts to protect Social Security and support Rochester’s seniors, visit his website here.
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