Beatty Blasts Trump’s Latest Social Security Scheme

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) is forcefully pushing back against President Donald Trump's recent comments advocating for the complete elimination of payroll taxes. In reaction, Beatty issued the following statement:

"Trump's payroll tax proposal is the single worst way to provide economic relief to struggling American families because it is stealing from their retirement to make up for his abysmal failure to contain the ever-growing COVID-19 Pandemic and safeguard our economy. The payroll tax accounts for nearly 90 percent of Social Security funding and repealing it will destroy Social Security—and with it the livelihoods of countless recipients who worked a lifetime and paid into the program for decades.

Almost as worse is Trump's unconstitutional, unworkable executive order to defer payroll taxes. This publicity stunt does nothing to help the more than 30 million Americans currently unemployed and requires workers to pay back the deferral in the not-too-distant future.

On August 14, 2020, Social Security will turn 85-years-old. If Trump and Congressional Republicans get their way, Social Security won't see many more birthdays. However, my Democratic colleagues and I are determined to see that does not happen. Instead of undermining Social Security, I am committed to strengthening the program for today's retirees and making sure it is available to future generations."

To that effect, Beatty is an original cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act, H.R. 860. If enacted, the Social Security 2100 Act would guarantee the fiscal solvency of Social Security through the year 2100, expand the program for current and new enrollees, as well as reduce tax liability for Social Security recipients. In addition, Beatty has consistently been recognized by the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) for her work to improve and defend Social Security. In fact, she was one of only four members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation to receive a perfect score on ARA's 2019 Congressional Scorecard.