Congressman Dan Goldman Hosts Community Leaders and Constituents to Condemn Trump’s Attacks on Social Security Staff and Services

 

 

New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today joined Disability Advocate Michael Schweinsburg, senior services providers, and Social Security recipients to observe Save Social Security Day of Action and condemn Trump and the Republican Party’s attempts to dismantle the Social Security Administration and slash benefits that New Yorkers have worked their whole lives for.

 

“Social Security is a hard-earned benefit that millions of New Yorkers rely on to retire with dignity – Donald Trump and the Republican Party are trying to rip it away,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “From closing Social Security field offices to gutting administration staff and forcing seniors to travel long distances to do routine paperwork in person, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their DOGE hatchet men are putting insurmountable obstacles between New York seniors and the benefits they’re entitled to. As this president wages war on the programs their constituents depend on, I call on my New York Republican colleagues to grow a spine and demand these cuts be reversed immediately.”

 

New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera said, “It’s shameful that DOGE is threatening seniors, veterans, retirees and the disability community through its attacks on the Social Security Administration. New Yorkers and Americans across the country are afraid that Trump’s threats will result in drastic cuts to a system they have spent their whole lives paying into. This important agency is already seeing delays in service and technology outages and we cannot accept any more disruptions to a program that is a lifeline for so many. I’m thankful to Congressman Goldman and all of the advocates who keep fighting to ensure that all people continue receiving the benefits they’ve earned."

 

New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Aging Committee, said, "Three out of four of New York City’s 1.4 million older adults rely on Social Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet. For many living on a fixed income, it’s their only source of financial support and their sole access to essential care. Security means being free from danger or threat, so it’s critical that we hold the federal government accountable and ensure these vital resources remain protected for the New Yorkers who earned them."

 

Following the press conference, Congressman Goldman entered the Social Security field office in his district and spoke to the Social Security office manager about the new administration’s policies and how they are impacting the operations of the field office. 

 

Since taking office, the Trump administration has severely weakened the Social Security Administration’s ability to efficiently administer benefits to the 73 million Americans who receive Social Security. In February, the Trump administration announced plans to slash Social Security staff by over 12 percent, with even deeper cuts proposed for departments responsible for protecting sensitive data, maintaining benefit claims processing systems, and managing the agency’s website and online portal. These cuts will likely lead to further website and benefit disruptions, as well as longer in-person lines and phone wait times, preventing tens of millions of Americans from accessing their benefits.

 

Congressman Goldman has worked tirelessly to protect Social Security from the Trump administration’s attacks and ensure every retiree receives the benefits they deserve.  

 

Last month, Goldman urged the Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner to oppose the Trump-Musk plan to consolidate ten regional offices down to four and cut 7,000 workers for the Social Security Administration. 

 

In February, Goldman cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, which would prevent Musk and DOGE from accessing the payment systems at the Treasury Department. This system is responsible for delivering trillions in Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax refunds, and payments to government contractors. 

 

Last Congress, Congressman Goldman cosponsored and voted to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. The now-enacted legislation restores full Social Security benefits for more than 3 million public service employees who receive other forms of retirement benefits. SSA is in the process of implementing the law.