Chairman Crowley Demands Increased Funding for Social Security in Government Funding Bill
(Queens, N.Y.) – Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Ways and Means Social Security Ranking Member John Larson (D-CT) announced today their letter signed by over 100 members of the House of Representatives calling for a robust increase in federal funding allocated for the Social Security Administration in the 2019 government funding legislation.
Since 2010, the Social Security Administration has been ravaged by a deeply inadequate budget, leading to office closures and service reductions. These cuts have resulted in excessive delays and wait times for Social Security beneficiaries hoping to access their hard-earned benefits.
Funding for the SSA fell by 11 percent from 2010 to 2017, while the number of beneficiaries increased by 15 percent during that same period.
“Without more robust funding, waiting times, benefit delays, and service problems will only grow worse – something that none of our constituents want,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting the funds. “Social Security is essential to American families. We urge you to support more resources for SSA so Americans can receive the benefits they are counting on.”
Chairman Crowley and Ranking Member Larson have vocally opposed Republican-led budget cuts to Social Security and other federal programs that support our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. In February, Chairman Crowley and Ranking Member Larson led a joint letter to President Donald Trump demanding increased funding for the Social Security Administration to reduce unconscionable delays for beneficiaries.
Reduced funding for the SSA has spurred a national crisis for beneficiaries, especially in Queens and the Bronx, where wait times are some of the worst in the country. Enhancing federal support for Social Security is a central component of Chairman Crowley’s Better Deal plan for Queens and the Bronx, which was unveiled earlier this year.
The full letter can be read here.
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