Rep. Goldman Joins AFGE Local 3369 for Rally Condemning Trump Administration Attack on Social Security
August 14, 2025
GOP Attacks on Social Security Administration Severely Harm Recipients’ Ability to Receive Benefits
Nearly 4 Million New Yorkers Rely on Social Security Benefits to Make Ends Meet
NEW YORK, NY — Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today joined AFGE Local 3369 for a rally on the 90th anniversary of Social Security to demand full staffing and funding of the Social Security Administration, as well as highlight the devastating impact of Trump and the GOP’s attacks on Social Security for olderAmericans nationwide.
“For 90 years, Social Security has helped hundreds of millions of Americans retire with dignity. But now, Trump and the GOP are trying to covertly dismantle the administration that makes the program possible,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. "They know cutting Social Security funding would be wildly unpopular, so instead they’re working quietly to put obstacles and red tape between our seniors and the benefits they’ve worked so hard for. Trump and the GOP have no intention of making the organization more efficient. Their goal is to bring it to its knees and cut Americans’ hard-earned benefits.”
Since taking office, the Trump administration has significantly weakened the Social Security Administration’s ability to efficiently administer benefits to the 73 million Americans who rely on Social Security. In February, the administration announced plans to cut Social Security staff by over 12%, with even deeper reductions proposed for departments responsible for protecting sensitive data, maintaining claims processing systems, and managing the agency’s website and online portal. These cuts have already resulted in multiple website crashes and disrupted recipients’ ability to receive benefits in a timely manner.
Earlier this week, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals granted DOGE access to data stored at the Treasury Department, the Education Department, and the Office of Personnel Management. The decision threatens the privacy of sensitive financial information tied to Social Security benefits. DOGE may now collect a range of personal data, including addresses, employment details, and related statistics that could be used to identify individuals.
Beginning in mid-August, new Social Security policies will make routine tasks, such as changing an address or requesting tax documents, more complicated for beneficiaries. Under the new system, recipients must complete a complex, multi-factor authentication process to generate a single-use PIN for identity verification. For many seniors, this digital hurdle poses a significant barrier to 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.
In May of 2023, Congressman Goldman joined Congressman Larson to introduce the Social Security 2100 Act to protect the Social Security program and improve benefits. This legislation would increase benefit payments for current and new Social Security beneficiaries, protect beneficiaries against inflation, reduce taxes on Social Security benefits, and further bolster benefits of Social Security. This bill would also extend the solvency of Social Security by at least ten years and potentially decades.
In April of this year, Congressman Goldman 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.
In March, Congressman 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, Congressman 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.
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Issues:Social Security and Medicare