April 01, 2025

Chairman Aguilar: Trump, Musk attacks have upended Social Security in just two months

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a hearing examining Republican efforts to gut social security benefits to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. 

CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Thank you so much, Ranking Member Neal, for your leadership. And I want to thank Co-Chair Kelly and our colleagues on the Steering and Policy Committee for holding this important conversation.

Our witness today is a public servant for more than three decades. Martin O’Malley served on the City Council, then as Mayor of the City of Baltimore, before serving two terms as the  Governor of Maryland. Most recently, he served with distinction, as the Leader mentioned, as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, where he made sure that every one of the 70 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits had a direct line into the federal government. He oversaw more than 50,000 workers at the SSA’s headquarters, 10 regional offices and 1,200 field offices across this country. He made certain that the Social Security Administration not only continued—but built upon—its legacy of quality customer service, a promise that America has upheld since Social Security was created by Congress in 1935, under the leadership of President Roosevelt. This promise went unbroken until Donald Trump and Elon Musk took a chainsaw to that legacy—with plans for extreme cuts, office closures and continued barriers to earned benefits.

After 90 straight years of seniors, survivors and people with disabilities being able to rely upon Social Security, extreme Republican attacks have upended the agency in just two months. And two people are to blame: the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, who calls Social Security a “ponzi scheme.” Governor O’Malley knows exactly what it takes to protect and strengthen the Social Security Administration. Today, unfortunately, he will tell us exactly how Trump and Musk are breaking it down. Governor O’Malley, you are now recognized.

Video of the full hearing can be viewed here.

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