Magaziner Celebrates Social Security Anniversary at South Kingstown Senior Center

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — To mark the 89th anniversary of the Social Security Act, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) visited the South Kingstown Senior Center to hear directly from seniors and discuss his work in Congress to protect Social Security benefits from proposed cuts.

“89 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, guaranteeing that after a lifetime of hard work, Americans can retire with dignity and peace of mind,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “However, Social Security is now under attack. Republicans in Congress are proposing to cut funding for the Social Security Administration and slash benefits by raising the retirement age. This is the opposite of what we should be doing. I am committed to protecting and strengthening social security, not cutting it.”.”

Social Security keeps 22.5 million Americans above the poverty line. Almost 67 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, including over 230,000 Rhode Islanders.

House Republicans’ Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill cuts the Social Security Administration budget by $453 million. If enacted, this would lead to field office closures and reduced hours, increased wait times of more than 45 minutes per call, and delays for obtaining new and replacement Social Security cards. 

The Republican Study Committee, which represents nearly 80 percent of House Republicans and 100 percent of House Republican leadership, has also released a 2025 budget that would raise the retirement age for full Social Security benefits to 69 and lower benefits for some beneficiaries. Earlier this year Rep. Magaziner spoke forcefully on the House Floor against Republican attempts to cut social security.

At the South Kingstown Senior Center, Rep. Magaziner discussed his efforts to protect Social Security. He is a cosponsor of H.R. 4583: Social Security 2100 Act, which adjusts the Social Security benefit formula to ensure benefits keep up with the cost of living and extends the solvency of the Social Security trust fund.