Hartford Reporter

Washington, D.C. – House Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s draft fiscal year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee today.

“Social Security is one thing the American people should be able to count on, yet the House Republican bill would disrupt access to those earned benefits,” said Larson. “Republicans want to cut Social Security and have taken the first step in this bill, which slashes funding that the Social Security Administration relies on to answer the phones, operate its network of local field offices, hire and train employees, and provide online service to millions of workers and beneficiaries. Already, years of underfunding, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly worsened Social Security Administration’s service, and led to lengthy delays during a time of rising need. The House Republican bill will only pile onto this problem, making it harder and harder for Americans to access their earned benefits. I will continue to fight for the Social Security Administration to have the funding and staffing it needs to improve customer service to the American people, in support of President Biden’s 2024 budget request and House Appropriations Ranking Member DeLauro’s leadership.”

In March, Larson and Representatives Wild, Schakowsky, and Matsui led 107 Members in a letter to House Appropriations to support strengthening Social Security’s customer service in fiscal year 2024. Click here for the letter.

Original source can be found here.