CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN RECOGNIZES 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY, CELEBRATES RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE LANDMARK “PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY ACT” TO PROTECT ACCESS, PREVENT ANY FUTURE CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY
Congressman Pat Ryan Recognizes 90th Anniversary of Social Security, Celebrates Re-Introduction of the Landmark “Protecting Social Security Act” to Protect Access, Prevent Any Future Cuts to Social Security
Today marks the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act
Congressman Ryan’s “Protecting Social Security Act” honors the historic program’s legacy; bill will prevent cuts to Social Security and protect the Social Security trust fund from depletion, ensuring that seniors and families receive the benefits they earned
Ryan’s bill will also require operational Social Security offices in all three NY-18 counties, forcing the Social Security Administration to re-open their office in Ulster; Ryan successfully rallied the community to save the Poughkeepsie Social Security office earlier this year after it appeared on the DOGE cuts list
KINGSTON, NY – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan continued his fight for Hudson Valley seniors and commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act. Earlier this year, Ryan re-introduced his “Protecting Social Security Act,” landmark legislation that will ensure Social Security benefits cannot be cut and that seniors and families will continue to receive the benefits they have earned. The bill also requires there to be an operational Social Security office in all three NY-18 counties.
Ryan has consistently and forcefully advocated against the closure of Hudson Valley Social Security offices. Most recently, he successfully rallied the community to save the Poughkeepsie Social Security office – the only office in Dutchess County – after it appeared on the DOGE list for cuts under Trump’s SSA.
“Today, we celebrate 90 years of Social Security. With the economic pressure we’re all feeling right now – compounded by Trump’s devastating cuts to health care – the last thing anyone should be worried about is feeling secure in their retirement,” said Congressman Pat Ryan “As Trump and his MAGA cronies continue to push for cuts to essential programs, this bill sends a message once and for all: there will be no cuts to Social Security, your benefits are protected, and they should be easily accessible, no matter where you live. Social Security represents a sacred promise made by our country to our seniors – you worked your whole lives for these benefits, and in return, we have your back. When Trump, Musk, and DOGE tried to close our Poughkeepsie Social Security office, the Hudson Valley fought back and won. I’ve got your back, your community has your back, and we won’t rest until Social Security is protected for good.”
“Social Security is a solemn contract to all Americans: Pay into the system and you will receive benefits when due,” said Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson. “Representative Ryan's new legislation will ensure that the United States lives up to its promise to all Social Security recipients. I will continue to work with Representative Ryan’s office in dealing with the Social Security problems of constituents. I thank Representative Ryan for the Protecting Social Security Act.”
“I am a 61-year-old New Yorker who worked for decades, contributing to Social Security. I also am a person with 2 chronic, degenerative diseases, and, therefore, to survive I have been on Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare for many years,” said Deborah G. Sgroi of Saugerties. “I need both programs for many more years. I need leaders like Congressman Pat Ryan to protect these programs, including fighting against cuts to the Social Security Administration staff and offices. Like some 70 million Americans, I depend on Social Security and Medicare to live. We need it protected.”
“I’m currently preparing to retire and my Social Security will play a crucial part in supporting my wife and I through retirement,” said Highland Falls veteran Keith Proctor. “ I have done my share - contributing to Social Security for nearly 50 years with hard work, including serving in the military and deploying to Iraq in 2003, to support myself, my family, my community, and my country. My grandparents lived solely on their monthly Social Security check in their retirement. Unfortunately, those days are way gone, but I could not even imagine what I would do if I were to lose it altogether. That’s why I get so frustrated and disillusioned when I hear the discussions in Congress about cutting or even eliminating this necessary program. I am very comforted knowing that Congressman Ryan is going to bat for my entire family and I. My three daughters recently started their careers and are contributing to their retirements at this moment. I want this benefit to continue for their sake as much as mine. Thank you, Congressman Ryan for representing and protecting our benefits and rights and introducing the Protecting Social Security Act.”
“Social Security is vital, especially now with jobs held by middle and lower income workers often no longer providing pensions or retirement programs. It’s now on the individual to find out how to afford life after their career. With the high cost of basic expenses today, people just don’t have the ability to set aside the savings needed when they’re living month-to-month as is,” said Teresa Horgan of New Paltz. “We’ve all been contributing to it - it needs to continue to be available to us. When my father passed away, my mother was able to stay in her home and afford property taxes because she was able to continue to receive my father’s benefit. The same is true for my mother-in-law who just turned 90. Social Security is critical to ensuring seniors can keep a roof over their heads.”
“As a senior citizen who depends on Social Security, I am deeply concerned about Trump making cuts to the Social Security Administration. I strongly support Congressman Ryan holding the line on protecting Social Security from Trump's attacks,” said Rebecca Wilk of Woodstock. “Social Security is the most popular and successful government program in the history of our country. For nearly a century, it has been the backbone of the middle class, ensuring seniors can retire with dignity. Massive cuts to Social Security would prevent people from receiving our Social Security benefits. That is totally unacceptable.”
“As a disabled army veteran of 15 years, I needed to file for Social Security to afford life’s day-to-day expenses,” said Desarae Paganelli of Pleasant Valley. “However, my case wasn’t being resolved and I hadn’t received the benefits I needed in over three years. I was unable to resolve the issue myself and was suffering financially. This caused stress for me and my service dog. I reached out to Congressman Ryan’s office for assistance. They pushed through my paperwork and I received my benefits shortly thereafter. Now, being able to be in a safe environment and having the ability to provide for basic human needs has ensured a more positive quality of life. Social Security is so important for Americans to maintain some dignity in life.”
“I am grateful for what Congressman Pat Ryan and his team did for me from my first phone call to the office – everyone was so kind and understanding of my situation with Social Security Benefits,” said Poughkeepsie retiree Rosalie. “I retired after my son passed away at the age of 32 from a pulmonary embolism. My life would never be the same and I just could not return to work. Last year my husband also passed away, leaving me with very little income. I did all the necessary paperwork and meetings to receive the spouse benefits, but it was getting held up for months on end. It was calling Congressman Ryan’s office that took away the stress and made me feel that he had my back and always will.”
“My elderly brother was admitted to the hospital in need of acute care for 3 weeks and then transferred to a rehab center for a month-long stay to regain his motor skills,” said John, a constituent in Poughkeepsie. “He had no insurance and only a pending application for Social Security and Medicare. We contacted Congressman Ryan's Office and they were able to have my brother's application for benefits quickly approved. Without their assistance, particularly Maria, Director of Constituent Services, I'm not sure how our family crisis would have been resolved. Thanks to all of you! What a difference you have made.”
Congressman Ryan has prioritized protecting Social Security and Medicare throughout his time in Congress, repeatedly voting against House Republicans’ attempts to cut the benefits, including by blocking Republicans’ proposed 20% cut to Social Security in his first year in Congress. Ryan has consistently rallied against Trump and MAGA’s domestic spending bill, which cuts more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid and SNAP and rips health care from 17 million Americans. Ryan called the bill a “Big, Ugly Betrayal of his constituents and the American people.”
Congressman Ryan has repeatedly stood up to reductions in care for Hudson Valley seniors, vehemently fighting the closure of the Kingston and Newburgh Social Security offices. When the “temporary” closure of the Poughkeepsie office was announced, Congressman Ryan immediately sounded the alarm, warning of a more permanent reduction in care. Many seniors are unable to physically make it to further offices, and with 7 million seniors relying on Social Security for more than 90 percent of their income, this kind of obstacle can serve as a fatal roadblock to accessing benefits. Recent reporting from the Center for American Progress shows that when field offices close, the number of Social Security recipients receiving disability benefits in the area falls by 16 percent.
In the face of continued threats to cut Social Security, Congressman Pat Ryan’s “Protecting Social Security Act” would guarantee that Social Security benefits for hard-working Americans could not be decreased or taken away. Among other things, the bill:
- Permanently protects Social Security from those seeking to cut benefits, specifically calling out by name former President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, JD Vance, and Rick Scott
- Affirms that Social Security is an earned benefit that Americans have paid into over the course of their lifetime and belongs to those who have worked for it
- Calls out that Social Security benefits have not been expanded in over 50 years
- Notes that nearly 9 out of every 10 people over the age of 65 receive Social Security benefits, that over 6 million children depend on Social Security, and nearly 9 million veterans are beneficiaries, and yet the House Republican Study Committee approved a plan that would increase the retirement age to 69
- Re-establishes a Social Security office in Ulster County, bringing back in-person services to seniors in Ulster who rely on this earned benefit
- Protects Social Security for generations to come by ensuring that if the trust fund become insolvent, emergency funds would immediately be transferred from the Treasury to the Social Security trust funds so that recipients don’t see a decrease in benefit payments while Congress devises a solution
- Requires both the Senate and House of Representatives to vote on a permanent funding source, namely, billionaires and corporate monopolies, to fund the Social Security trust fund should it become insolvent
Congressman Ryan has utilized his C.A.R.E.S. Van to bring the Social Security Administration back to Ulster County for events. Ulster County has been without a presence from the Social Security Administration for years. Ryan’s C.A.R.E.S. Van routinely visits senior centers and Dutchess County Senior Picnics to bring assistance directly to seniors where they’re at. The August schedule of events for the C.A.R.E.S. Van can be viewed in full here.
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