Dear Friends, 

Last week marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security. In 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law to ensure seniors could retire with dignity, but it is long overdue for Congress to take action to not only protect but enhance it. As the leading Democrat on the Social Security Subcommittee, I have taken on President Trump and ‘DOGE’ for going after your hard-earned benefits – and will not give up the fight to safeguard Social Security. 

Since President Trump took office, Social Security has been a key target for his administration to cut. They’ve cut nearly 20% of field office staff at the Social Security Administration, handed over your personal data – even income history and medical records – to Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE,’ and twice tried to slash phone services for elderly and disabled Americans. When ‘DOGE’ tried to close the Torrington field office serving our seniors in Northwestern Connecticut, we spoke up and they backed down. When they went after phone service, I joined with the AARP and other advocacy groups, and they withdrew their plan. I will continue to speak out to protect your benefits from these attacks.

Last week, I joined with Senator Bernie Sanders and groups like Social Security Works and the NAACP to call for action on Social Security, because no senior should work their entire life and retire into poverty. I have put forward a plan to enhance benefits, and also introduced bills to protect Social Security from cuts. Seniors are facing a cost-of-living crisis, and they are counting on their leaders to make sure their benefits keep up with rising costs. Democrats are united – under the leadership of my good friend Hakeem Jeffries, we will act. You can view my remarks at the national town hall below. 

I enjoyed catching up with you throughout the week. I hosted public forums in Rocky Hill, East Hartford, Barkhamsted, and Middletown, and stopped by AARP Connecticut’s ice cream social in Hartford on Social Security’s birthday. I visited the CSEA SEIU Local 2001’s annual retiree picnic to discuss the importance of protecting Social Security and Medicare from the Trump Administration’s attacks. 

Rep. Larson meets with residents at his public forum in East Hartford. 

The Republican Budget sets into motion the largest cut to Medicare in our nation’s history and puts Social Security at risk. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent even admitted that it was a ‘back door’ to privatize your benefits. I took to the Middletown Social Security Field Office with State Senator Matt Lesser and labor leaders from across the state to call out this scheme. We will continue the fight to invest in services and staff at Social Security, and we will never let Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies hand over the benefits you earned to Wall Street. 

Rep. Larson at the Middletown Social Security field office

Our fight to protect and enhance Social Security remains my number one priority. I want to hear from you. If you or a loved one would be impacted by these cuts, share your story HERE. If you are having trouble receiving your benefits or getting in touch with a federal agency, please call my office at 860-278-8888. We are here to help. To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress