Congressman introduces bill to ban cuts to Social Security payments
Rep. Pat Ryan simply calls his newly filed bill the Protecting Social Security Act.
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A Hudson Valley congressman is introducing legislation to guard against potential cuts to social security benefits.
Rep. Pat Ryan simply calls his newly filed bill the Protecting Social Security Act.
"We want to be very clear and straightforward about what this bill is," Ryan said during a press conference Thursday afternoon outside the Newburgh Armory.
This legislation is partly in response to a proposed budget by the Republican Study Committee that calls for cuts to future Social Security retirement benefits.
Former President Donald Trump has pledged to leave benefit amounts untouched if he were to win another term.
Still, some Democrats want a guarantee.
Ryan's bill would provide several safeguards including a ban on cut to any monthly payments.
"I'll put out a challenge – regardless of party – to every house member," Ryan said. "If you're serious about protecting social security, which a lot of people claim to be, please co-sponsor this bill in a bipartisan way and let's get it passed."
Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey and some state lawmakers joined Ryan at the press conference to voice their support for the bill.
Mayor Harvey said the issue is personal to him.
"My father – in the last few years of his life – he was a Korean War veteran – all he got every month was a $1,200 check from Social Security," he said. "That's all he had to live on."
Ryan's staff said they expect Social Security to be an issue in several congressional races this fall, possibly including his own race.
Reached for comment late Thursday, Esposito said through email that, “Pat Ryan, once again, is playing election-year politics," and took a position similar to Ryan's.
"I do not support cuts to Social Security or other benefits our American seniors depend on," she wrote. "They paid into social security and deserve to reap the full benefits of the program. Furthermore, I fully support repealing any tax on social security. Our seniors have already paid taxes on the money they invested and should not have to pay the government a second time when they receive it."
