Ahead of 91st Anniversary of Social Security, Congressman Pat Ryan Continues to Fight for His Landmark “Protecting Social Security Act” to Protect Access, Prevent Any Future Cuts to Social Security

Tomorrow marks the 91st 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 last year after it appeared on the DOGE cuts list 

KINGSTON, NY – Ahead of the 91st anniversary of the Social Security Act tomorrow, Congressman Pat Ryan is continuing his fight for Hudson Valley seniors by pushing for passage of 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. Ryan’s 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. 

“Tomorrow marks 91 years of Social Security and the promise we made to every American that if you work hard and contribute, we’ll make sure you can retire with dignity. As Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran are making everything more expensive, the certainty of Social Security is more important than ever for our seniors. That’s why I’m fighting to protect your earned benefits and make sure no politician or trillionaire like Elon Musk gets to touch it ” said Congressman Pat Ryan “As Trump and his MAGA cronies continue to push for cuts to essential programs, my Protecting Social Security Act 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 tried to close our Poughkeepsie Social Security office, the Hudson Valley fought back and won. We won’t rest until Social Security is protected for good.”

Congressman Ryan has prioritized protecting Social Security 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 stood up against 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. 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, and JD Vance
• 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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