Yestreday Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) celebrated the 85th anniversary of the Social Security Act of 1935, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.
The modern Social Security program and a system of unemployment insurance benefits were created during the Great Depression by the Social Security Act, laying the groundwork for the later addition of Medicare and Medicaid to create a strong social safety net for all Americans. As of last year, 138,125 residents of New York’s 18th Congressional District were Social Security beneficiaries. Approximately 65 million Americans will receive over $1 trillion in Social Security benefits in 2020.
"Social Security was created to help lead our nation’s recovery from the Great Depression. Now, as Americans once again face the uncertainty of economic crisis in the wake of COVID-19, we must redouble our fight to protect and expand this lifeline,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. “Folks have worked hard to earn their Social Security benefits - they paid into them with the expectation of a fair return. During the 85th year of this groundbreaking legislation, I’m proud to stand behind Social Security, work to expand it, and fight any efforts to slash New Yorkers’ Social Security funds to pay for more handouts to special interests. We can’t balance the budget on the backs of older Americans.”