Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Save Social Security from President Trump’s Harmful Actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (both D-VA) and 27 of their Democratic colleagues introduced the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act, legislation that would reverse the disastrous actions the Trump Administration is taking at the Social Security Administration (SSA). The bill would prevent Social Security field offices from shutting down, make it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for benefits, and provide proper resources to the SSA so it can approve benefits quicker.

"Donald Trump lied when he said he would not hurt Social Security. At a time when it should be all hands on deck to strengthen this program for future generations, he is working overtime to undermine it by firing workers and preparing to close field offices that help ensure that Americans get their benefits," said the senators. "We're proud to introduce this legislation to help undo the damage he's causing."

The bill is introduced on the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For nearly a century, Social Security has been the most successful government program-paying out every benefit owed to eligible Americans on time and without delay. The program has helped millions of seniors, widows, children, and people with disabilities to live with dignity, and in 2023 alone, Social Security lifted 27.6 million Americans out of poverty. Without it, nearly 40 percent of people over age 65 would be living in poverty.

Despite the program's success, the Trump Administration has pushed out more than 7,000 SSA employees, begun requiring in-person office visits to receive benefits, limited access to a live operator when Americans call the 1-800 number for Social Security benefits to make it easier to access benefits, and issued false statements designed to undermine the confidence that the American people have in this crucial program.

To counter these dangerous actions, the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act would:

• Protect and improve Americans' access to Social Security offices by prohibiting closures, relocations, and service reductions, preventing more employees from being pushed out, and ensuring Americans can speak to real people to get their benefits;
• Increase funding by $5 billion to improve customer service, modernize technology, and reduce backlogs;
• Restore assistance for vulnerable and disabled people to access their benefits;
• Safeguard Americans' data and stop Trump's politicization of Social Security; and
• Remove DOGE's authority and call for an independent investigation into DOGE's actions at SSA.

In addition to Warner and Kaine, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ruben Gallego (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the Senate bill is available here. A one-pager of the bill is available here.

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