Rep. John Larson, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Connecticut’s 1st district, took to social media on May 14, 2025, to express his concerns regarding the handling of Social Security taxation by President Trump and House Republicans. His tweets highlight his efforts to introduce amendments addressing these issues and the subsequent opposition he faced.
In a tweet posted at 07:59 UTC, Larson criticized President Trump and House Republicans for not including a promise to stop taxing Social Security benefits in their bill. He stated, “President Trump and House Republicans promised to stop taxing Social Security benefits – but it’s not in their bill.” Larson further mentioned that he introduced an amendment to fulfill this promise but noted that every Republican on the Ways and Means Committee voted against it.
Later that morning at 08:54 UTC, Larson shared another tweet where he addressed criticism from his Republican colleagues who referred to his amendment as a ‘poison pill.’ He argued that while tax breaks for billionaires were being passed, efforts should be made to ensure seniors do not retire into poverty. He tweeted, “My Republican colleagues called my amendment to enhance benefits & end taxes on Social Security a ‘poison pill.'”
By early afternoon at 13:08 UTC, Larson reported that after a lengthy session lasting 17 hours, Republicans succeeded in passing tax cuts for billionaires within the Ways and Means Committee. He lamented that all Democratic amendments were blocked, including his own aimed at stopping Social Security taxation. He urged Americans to continue voicing their opinions with hopes of swaying enough Republican votes in the House. His tweet read: “After 17 hours, Republicans passed their tax cuts for billionaires in the @WaysMeansCmte.”
John B. Larson has been serving in Congress since replacing Barbara Kennelly in 1999 and previously served in the Connecticut Senate from 1987 to 1995. Born in Hartford in 1948 and currently residing in East Hartford, Larson is an alumnus of Central Connecticut State University.
