Press Releases

Congressional Black Caucus Holds Press Conference on Republican Efforts to Decimate Social Security

Washington, April 1, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) was joined by Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus for a press conference to address President Trump and House Republicans’ efforts to decimate Social Security for millions of Americans. The press conference was held in advance of the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee's Hearing on Social Security. 

  

Watch it on YouTube

 

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus offered the following quotes:

  

“Instead of working to lower the cost of living for everyday Americans, President Trump and Elon Musk have made it their top priorities to wreck the federal government and slash programs like Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP,” said Chair Yvette D. Clarke. “President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are on the verge of breaking Social Security beyond recognition and our communities are going to pay the price. All over the country, we are hearing from concerned Americans who are demanding that Republicans keep their hands off Social Security. We are calling on House Republicans to stand up now and join Democrats to stop Donald Trump and Elon Musk and protect America's Social Security.” 

  

“Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE are working to sabotage Social Security aiming to dismantle it altogether,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. “Democrats will keep fighting this Administration’s attacks – done under the guise of rooting out fraud. I joined my colleagues today. But our work doesn’t end there; I will keep working to strengthen Social Security, such as through my legislation, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which will help it better serve women and people of color.” 

  

“Social Security is a promise between the American people and our government – Donald Trump and Elon Musk have no right to break it,” said Rep. Steven Horsford. “For Black Americans and so many disadvantaged communities, Social Security ensures dignity in retirement. No program is more effective at lifting people out of poverty, which makes it all the more appalling that Trump and Musk are trying to undermine Social Security for the sake of their greed.” 

  

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to make it impossible for seniors to get their Social Security benefits in order to fund their tax cuts for billionaires,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “It's why they fired thousands of Social Security employees, broke the agency's website, and closed field offices all across the nation. And it’s why they are forcing seniors to make claims in person rather than over the phone. Elon Musk may think Social Security is a ‘Ponzi Scheme’ but for the people I represent, it is a lifeline. I will do everything I can to stop the Trump Administration from breaking it.” 

  

“70 million Americans depend on Social Security and one in three households include a Social Security beneficiary, yet the Trump Administration has classified it as a “Ponzi scheme,” with plans to dismantle this critical program that supports the most vulnerable among us,” said Rep. Stacey Plaskett. “Downsizing the Social Security Administration would make it less efficient, rather than improve its efficiency. Additionally, in my district of the Virgin Islands we have a steadily growing older population that is dependent on Social Security to supplement their income. The proposed changes by the administration would be harmful and make the process of accessing Social Security more difficult for our constituents.  Social Security is a sacred trust that represents a return on the contributions that hard-working Americans have made into the system for decades. It is the responsibility of the Congress to continue to safeguard Social Security for all Americans. We must stand together and keep up the pressure in order to save the Social Security Administration from their ultimate plan.”

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) was joined by Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus for a press conference to address President Trump and House Republicans’ efforts to decimate Social Security for millions of Americans. The press conference was held in advance of the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee's Hearing on Social Security. 

Watch it on YouTube

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus offered the following quotes:

“Instead of working to lower the cost of living for everyday Americans, President Trump and Elon Musk have made it their top priorities to wreck the federal government and slash programs like Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP,” said Chair Yvette D. Clarke. “President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are on the verge of breaking Social Security beyond recognition and our communities are going to pay the price. All over the country, we are hearing from concerned Americans who are demanding that Republicans keep their hands off Social Security. We are calling on House Republicans to stand up now and join Democrats to stop Donald Trump and Elon Musk and protect America's Social Security.” 

“Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE are working to sabotage Social Security aiming to dismantle it altogether,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. “Democrats will keep fighting this Administration’s attacks – done under the guise of rooting out fraud. I joined my colleagues today. But our work doesn’t end there; I will keep working to strengthen Social Security, such as through my legislation, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which will help it better serve women and people of color.” 

“Social Security is a promise between the American people and our government – Donald Trump and Elon Musk have no right to break it,” said Rep. Steven Horsford. “For Black Americans and so many disadvantaged communities, Social Security ensures dignity in retirement. No program is more effective at lifting people out of poverty, which makes it all the more appalling that Trump and Musk are trying to undermine Social Security for the sake of their greed.” 

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to make it impossible for seniors to get their Social Security benefits in order to fund their tax cuts for billionaires,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “It's why they fired thousands of Social Security employees, broke the agency's website, and closed field offices all across the nation. And it’s why they are forcing seniors to make claims in person rather than over the phone. Elon Musk may think Social Security is a ‘Ponzi Scheme’ but for the people I represent, it is a lifeline. I will do everything I can to stop the Trump Administration from breaking it.” 

“70 million Americans depend on Social Security and one in three households include a Social Security beneficiary, yet the Trump Administration has classified it as a “Ponzi scheme,” with plans to dismantle this critical program that supports the most vulnerable among us,” said Rep. Stacey Plaskett. “Downsizing the Social Security Administration would make it less efficient, rather than improve its efficiency. Additionally, in my district of the Virgin Islands we have a steadily growing older population that is dependent on Social Security to supplement their income. The proposed changes by the administration would be harmful and make the process of accessing Social Security more difficult for our constituents.  Social Security is a sacred trust that represents a return on the contributions that hard-working Americans have made into the system for decades. It is the responsibility of the Congress to continue to safeguard Social Security for all Americans. We must stand together and keep up the pressure in order to save the Social Security Administration from their ultimate plan.”