U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation that would reverse the cuts made to Social Security by the Trump Administration.
The Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act (S. 2763) includes several key provisions. Specifically, it would:
- Prohibit the closures, relocations and service reductions of Social Security field offices.
- 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 data and prevent the politicization of Social Security.
- Remove DOGE’s authority and call for an independent investigation into DOGE’s actions at SSA.
“Americans’ earned Social Security benefits are at greater risk than ever before after Trump and DOGE’s continued attacks on the agency,” Wyden said. “Customer service resembles Swiss cheese, Americans’ most precious data is being handled carelessly and runs the risk of a catastrophic data breach, and the Social Security Administration is increasingly politicized. It’s time to put a stop to these threats to Social Security so seniors and all Americans who are paying into Social Security out of every paycheck can count on their benefits getting paid out on time and in full.”
Along with Wyden and Sanders, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
“Since Trump has been in office, he has worked overtime — including with one of the wealthiest men in the world, Elon Musk — to dismantle Social Security and undermine the faith that the American people have in this vitally important program,” Sanders said. “Thousands of Social Security staff have lost their jobs, seniors and people with disabilities are having a much harder time receiving the benefits they have earned, field offices have been shut down and the 1-800 number is a mess. That is beyond unacceptable. On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, our job must be to reverse these disastrous cuts, expand Social Security and make it easier, not harder, for Americans to receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. That’s precisely what this legislation will do.”
The lawmakers said more than 7,000 workers at the SSA have been let go, while field offices have been closed throughout the country.
The legislation is endorsed by Social Security Works, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, Center for Living & Working, Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, American Association of People with Disabilities, Justice in Aging, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, New York Legal Assistance Group, New Disabled South, and the National Disability Institute.