FACT SHEET: Social Security’s 90th Anniversary Underscores Senate Republican Attacks on Program
Here are the facts about the GOP’s efforts to undercut Social Security and threaten retirement benefits for millions of Americans.
NATIONALLY:
Nearly 70 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits.
The GOP reconciliation bill accelerates the insolvency of Social Security, leading to a 24% benefit cut for retirees in seven years unless Congress acts.
Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that Senate Republicans voted for a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security” included in the toxic GOP reconciliation bill.
Senate Republicans have praised attacks on Social Security:
Threatening to close dozens of Social Security offices across the country that approximately 170,000 Americans visit for assistance with their Social Security benefits each day.
Firing 7,000 employees at the Social Security Administration and possibly thousands more, when the agency is already stretched thin, resulting in benefit cutoffs and delays, website crashes, and long wait times.
Replacing fired employees with an unreliable chat-bot that has been “struggling to handle seemingly simple tasks.”
Threatening to abruptly end seniors’ ability to apply for benefits over the phone, which would have forced millions to drive hours to receive in-person assistance.
Causing recipients to have their benefits cut off through classification errors.
Elon Musk, whose cuts were supported by Senate Republicans, said Social Security was “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” and that Social Security was “the big one to eliminate.”
ALASKA:
Dan Sullivan’s record:
118,014 Alaskans rely on Social Security benefits.
GEORGIA:
Buddy Carter’s record:
Buddy Carter voted for, and claimed he was a “leader in crafting,” the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”
Buddy Carter voted for GOP budget proposals to cut Social Security benefits and increase the retirement age.
Mike Collins’ record:
Mike Collins “helped whip votes to pass” – and then voted for – the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”
Mike Collins said that we should “raise the retirement age” and “encourage” Americans to work past their retirement age.
Mike Collins has advocated for people to “get off of Social Security.”
Derek Dooley’s record:
2,023,789 Georgians rely on Social Security benefits.
IOWA:
Joni Ernst’s record:
Joni Ernst voted for the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security” and celebrated its passage, saying she was “proud” of her efforts to pass it.
Joni Ernst voted against multiple amendments that would have reined in DOGE and protected Social Security benefits from funding cuts.
Joni Ernst said Social Security was “unsustainable,” saying the program should be changed “behind closed doors” and that she wanted to look into raising the retirement age for benefits.
Joni Ernst repeatedly suggested Social Security should be privatized.
Joni Ernst voted against the Social Security Fairness Act, which increased Social Security benefits for millions of teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
701,239 Iowans rely on Social Security benefits.
MAINE:
Susan Collins’ record:
Susan Collins provided a “key” and “pivotal” vote in advancing the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”
Ahead of DOGE cuts that attacked Social Security and jeopardized benefits, Susan Collins met with Elon Musk and said she was “very impressed” with his plans.
Susan Collins voted against multiple amendments that would have reined in DOGE and protected Social Security benefits from cuts.
Susan Collins has a record of voting to “weaken Social Security” in Congress.
375,793 Mainers rely on Social Security benefits.
MICHIGAN:
Mike Rogers’ record:
Mike Rogers supported the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security,” calling it a “monumental victory.”
Mike Rogers “showed willingness to cut Social Security” and said those who didn’t “deserve” it shouldn’t receive it, suggesting that “every option is going to have to be on the table” and that we should “rethink” retirement benefits for Americans with longer life expectancy.
Mike Rogers worked with lobbyists to overhaul Social Security under President George W. Bush while taking more than half a million dollars from Wall Street for his campaign.
Mike Rogers supported privatizing Social Security, which would gamble seniors’ benefits but “mean billions of dollars collected in additional fees for Wall Street.”
2,339,826 Michiganders rely on Social Security benefits.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Scott Brown’s record:
Scott Brown supported and praised the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security,” calling it a “good bill.”
Scott Brown repeatedly said cuts to programs like Social Security should be “on the table.”
Scott Brown voted for legislation that would force deep cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Scott Brown voted for a GOP spending bill that cut Social Security Administration funding and could have resulted in benefit payment delays for millions of Americans.
Dan Innis’ record:
343,052 Granite Staters rely on Social Security benefits.
NORTH CAROLINA:
Michael Whatley’s record:
Michael Whatley supported the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security,” touting it as a “huge win” and an “embodiment” of his party’s agenda.
2,329,477 North Carolinians rely on Social Security benefits.
OHIO:
Jon Husted’s record:
2,507,421 Ohioans rely on Social Security benefits.
TEXAS:
John Cornyn’s record:
John Cornyn said he was “proud” to vote for the toxic Republican plan they admit is a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”
John Cornyn endorsed privatizing Social Security.
John Cornyn voted for a budget that would have raised the Social Security retirement age.
John Cornyn voted against multiple amendments that would have reined in DOGE and protected Social Security benefits from funding cuts.
Ken Paxton’s record: