U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham, along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, is speaking out against cuts to the Social Security Administration proposed by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. They argue that Social Security is an earned benefit, not an entitlement, and that cuts to the agency would harm millions of Americans, including over 1.1 million Alabamians who receive benefits. These cuts include the termination of leases for SSA offices, causing closures like the one in Gadsden. Additionally, changes to identity verification requirements and website outages have made it difficult for beneficiaries to access their benefits. Sewell emphasized the importance of Social Security benefits for her constituents, describing them as crucial for putting food on the table and medicine in the cabinet.
In response to criticism, Sen. Tommy Tuberville stated that DOGE has been successful in finding savings in programs like Social Security, but warned that without reform, the system will go broke. The Social Security trust fund reserves are projected to run out by 2035, with only 83% of benefits payable at that time if Congress does not intervene. Sewell and other House Democrats held a hearing on Social Security with former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley and individuals impacted by the cuts, including disability advocate Judith Brown, who shared the importance of Social Security benefits for her family. The battle over Social Security cuts continues as lawmakers grapple with the need for reform to ensure the system’s sustainability.
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