Rep. Larson in Newsweek: With Trump, Seniors Know a Con When They Hear It

East Hartford, CT - Today, HouseWays and Means Committee Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson's op-ed, "With Trump, Seniors Know a Con When They Hear It," was featured in Newsweek.

Former President Donald Trump, the Conman-in-Chief, appeared on Fox News last week promising "big changes" to Social Security, an unpaid for tax cut that would deplete the Social Security Trust Fund. Democrats, led by Ranking Member Larson, introduced a plan to cut taxes for seniors on Social Security when he was President that he ignored. The Conman-in-Chief instead proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security every year he was in office while passing massive cash breaks for the wealthiest one percent.

Read the full op-ed in Newsweek here:

"When former President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News promising 'big changes' to Social Security, he again demonstrated why he has earned the title of 'Conman-in-Chief.' His latest scam is a tax cut that is unpaid for, and in truth, will deplete the Social Security Trust Fund. Thankfully, Newsweek covered the real impact of what the former President has put forward. As the press continues to shine a light on candidates' plans, it holds them accountable for their actions and their impact on the public.

"While some may find his empty promises appealing, the facts put his proposals in perspective. As economic analyst Steve Rattner recently pointed out that Trump's unpaid for changes to Social Security would move up the Trust Fund's insolvency date, resulting in an automatic 21 percent benefit cut for beneficiaries.

"In last week's interview, Trump again falsely claimed that undocumented immigrants are 'destroying' the system by receiving Social Security. This myth has been disproven by nonpartisan experts like Social Security Chief Actuary Steve Goss, who recently testified before the Ways and Means Committee on the matter. Ironically, undocumented immigrants strengthen the system because they pay into it without ever receiving benefits.

"Trump continues to pander with false platitudes. Democrats have put forward a plan that is actually paid for. President Biden and Vice President Harris have called to 'scrap the payroll cap' on the wealthy so they pay into the program throughout the year like everyone else. This will both extend the program's solvency and enhance benefits for the first time in more than 50 years, and it's paid for! Facts are telling, and Trump proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security when he was in office, while at the same time passing massive cash breaks for the wealthiest one percent. This alone added $1.9 trillion to the national debt.

"The Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in Congress, released a budget that would put $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security on the table, and also called for raising the retirement age. Raising the age to 70 would be at least a 21 percent across-the-board cut! House Republicans are currently advancing a government funding bill in line with Project 2025 that includes cutting funding for the Social Security Administration by $453 million. This would close field offices, extend wait times, and delay claims decisions for beneficiaries.

"At a time when 70 million Americans rely on Social Security and 10,000 Baby Boomers a day are becoming eligible for the program, they are becoming keenly aware of what impacts their wallets, and these plans could decimate Americans' retirement savings. Donald, some seniors may have been born at night, but they weren't born last night. They know a con when they hear it. The humorist Finley Peter Dunne famously stated, 'Trust everybody, but always cut the cards.' When it comes to the 'Conman-in-Chief,' Donald Trump, the nation needs to not only to cut the cards-it needs to re-shuffle the deck. The people need the real deal."