Press Release
Posted:
Davis, CA – On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) was joined by special guest, the immediate former Commissioner for the Social Security Administration and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley for a town hall at UC Davis. Thompson and O’Malley answered questions from 4th District constituents about the President’s proposed changes to the program and impacts on our community. Watch a recording of the event here.
“For 90 years, Social Security has been a promise to our country’s workers to allow them to retire after decades of hard work. It’s the most successful government program in our country’s history — yet this administration is working to demonize, downsize, and privatize it,” said Thompson. “Social Security allows Americans to retire safely and with dignity, and retirees spend that money right here at home. In fact, the program brings over $709 million into Yolo County’s local economy every year.
“Community members are rightfully concerned about federal attacks on Social Security. Since January, this administration has fired thousands of Social Security employees, shuttered offices, and attempted to reduce phone services for recipients. Regardless of party stripe, our community members should be concerned. I’m committed to continuing my work to protect the program. I’m thankful to join Commissioner O’Malley in this fight.”
“This administration's attack on social security is an attack on America’s promise to working people," said former Maryland Governor and Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “The good news is Americans of every background are rising up to say ‘hands off’ our earned benefits and I know together we will be victorious.”
Since January, Thompson has worked to oppose the President and Congressional Republicans’ efforts to harm the Social Security program.
To date, the Trump Administration has fired 7,000 Social Security workers, closed 47 field offices and 6 regional offices across the country, and proposed changes to operations to prevent Americans from being able to register for benefits over the phone.
These efforts make it harder for Americans to access their benefits, and they harm the program’s economic output. Every year, Social Security delivers $3.4 billion to residents of California’s 4th District. Beneficiaries often spend that money locally, boosting our economy. Efforts to privatize the program or reduce benefits risk not just the wellbeing of recipients but also risk the financial wellbeing of our entire community.
Rep. Thompson is working to protect Americans’ access to Social Security.
This Congress, Rep. Thompson has coauthored bills and worked with his colleagues to oppose the Administration’s cuts and changes to Social Security, including joining a Resolution of Inquiry to demand answers from the Social Security Administration on their proposed mass layoffs and closures of field and regional offices.
Public pressure is yielding results. Already, Congressional pressure, litigation, and public outrage have forced the Administration to roll back its plans to cut Social Security phone services and forced the reinstatement of tens of thousands of federal workers.
This is only the beginning. Rep. Thompson remains committed to working on behalf of Fourth District residents to protect the critical services they rely on and strengthen our democracy.