CONGRESSMAN MORELLE DEMANDS PRESIDENT TRUMP IMMEDIATELY CEASE ATTACKS ON VULNERABLE AMERICANS

(Rochester, NY) –Today, Congressman Morelle condemned President Trump's reckless payroll tax scam, which would effectively gut Social Security by 2023. Rep. Morelle sent a letter to the President to raise serious concerns about the move, and co-sponsors legislation to protect the long-term vitality of Social Security through the year 2100 and beyond.

"It's unacceptable that the Trump Administration is moving to take away the essential benefits that older Americans need and deserve," said Rep. Joe Morelle. "Every person in our country should enter their later years of life with the peace of mind that Social Security will be there for them. We won't let Donald Trump jeopardize that promise—that's why I've expressed my serious concerns to the Administration and have co-sponsored legislation to ensure we protect Social Security from these types of attacks for generations to come."

The Trump Administration's shortsighted payroll tax scam would permanently deplete the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund by mid-2021, and the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund would be permanently depleted by mid-2023—leaving millions of already vulnerable seniors and families to be hung out to dry. For two-thirds of beneficiaries, Social Security accounts for a majority of their income, and for one third, it provides 90 percent or more of their income.

Rep. Morelle and 146 Democratic colleagues have demanded the President abandon his ill-advised plan to terminate the payroll tax in an effort to prevent these devastating cuts to Social Security. A full copy of the letter can be found here.

Rep. Morelle is also a co-sponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act, which would increase benefits and ensure the Social Security system is financially secure through the year 2100 and beyond. The bill includes the following measures:

• An across-the-board benefit increase for current and new beneficiaries;
• An improved cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that takes into account the true costs incurred by seniors;
• A stronger minimum benefit, so someone who works their whole life does not retire into poverty;
• A tax cut for over 12 million Social Security recipients by eliminating the tax on their benefits

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