Press Release
Posted:
Santa Rosa, CA – Tuesday, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) held a roundtable to discuss the devastating impacts of Elon Musk’s DOGE targeted Social Security cuts and their work to protect Social Security benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Reps. Thompson and Huffman were joined by beneficiaries, critical service providers, local agencies and economic leaders to discuss the importance of defending and protecting Social Security.
“Americans worked hard to earn their Social Security and deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their benefits are secure,” said Rep. Thompson. “It’s the most reliable government program that not only ensures people can retire with dignity and people with disability can live as independently as possible but also supports our local economy. Elon Musk’s DOGE and the Administration are putting benefits at risk, but I will continue to work to hold them accountable and defend and protect Social Security.”
“We know that one in five Americans currently rely on social security benefits to live independently due to disabilities or to retire comfortably,” said Rep. Huffman. Right now, nearly every American contributes to Social Security and hopes to be able to utilize it one day for future assistance. But “Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s half-baked approach and headstrong rush to irresponsibly cut trillions of dollars from the federal budget—without oversight or full consideration of the impacts—puts everyday Americans’ lifesaving and hard-earned benefits in danger. Every American should be able to live and plan for retirement without the fear that the benefits that they earned are under threat, and I won’t stop fighting to make that happen.”
Social Security was created by President Roosevelt 89 years ago. Since its creation, Social Security has ensured that seniors could retire with dignity and those who suffer from disabilities can live relatively independent lives. Each month, more than 107,000 beneficiaries in Sonoma County receive $209 million in benefits, which supports our local economy.
Elon Musk’s DOGE, and the Trump administration have placed Social Security on their chopping block. Musk has called Social Security the greatest ponzi scheme of all time. The acting director of Social Security has laid off scores of employees, closed offices, enacted customer service requirements forcing people to verify their identity online before they could call the agency for assistance, and more. The layoffs and changes have resulted in massive disruptions in services, with many getting their calls dropped, its website being down, and hold times lasting hours.
To protect Social Security benefits for seniors and people with disabilities, Reps. Thompson and Huffman:
- Co-sponsored, H.R. 1876, Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act, which prohibits any more closures of SSA field offices for the rest of this administration.
- Co-sponsored, H.R. 1877, Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act, which blocks DOGE and political appointees from accessing sensitive beneficiary data systems at SSA. It also strengthens oversight and civil penalties for any data privacy and disclosure violations.
- Support H.Res.195, to demand information on Social Security Administration (SSA) operations and DOGE’s access to the agency. This Resolution of Inquiry was marked up on March 12, 2025, with a party-line vote of 24-18.
- Support H.Res.327, a second Resolution of Inquiry to demand information on SSA’s field office closures, staffing reductions and the (now rescinded) phone service changes.
- Proudly work with Social Security recipients and community members against Elon Musk’s DOGE, and the Trump administration’s efforts to privatize Social Security.
Reps. Thompson and Huffman have also supported legislation to make proactive, forward-looking improvements to Social Security benefits for the American people. This includes Rep. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act to raise benefits, cut taxes, and prevent seniors from retiring into poverty.