Title
In Recognition of Saving the Neighborhood Social Security Offices, Medicare and Medicaid
Body
WHEREAS, the neighborhood Social Security offices and employees have faithfully served the public in communities across the country since it’s inception in 1935, making it the first line of defense against poverty for Americans; and
WHEREAS, local Social Security Administration offices throughout the nation are staffed with trained civil servants that provide services to millions of Americans each year, whether it be in-person or over the phone; and
WHEREAS, Over 11,000 Americans reach retirement age each day, placing growing demands on the Social Security Administration, whose staffing levels have declined to a 50-year low; and
WHEREAS, despite these challenges, twenty percent of employees in local Social Security offices are veterans, reflecting the agency’s commitment to those who have served. At the same time, 9.7 million veterans rely on their monthly Social Security benefits to cover essential needs such as housing and food.; and
WHEREAS, with the current Administrations plan to cut staff dramatically to transfer federal tax dollars from our communities to reduce the taxes of billionaires, millions of Americans rely on Social Security Administration services, Medicaid or Medicare; and
WHEREAS, cutting costs has led to dozens of Social Security Administration office closures even though millions of Americans depend on nearby Social Security offices for filing for benefits, resolving problems with payments, work records, generating Social Security Numbers, income and award letters, and applications for retirement, disability and Supplemental Security Income; and
WHEREAS, state and federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security benefits, and supports the "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act," the "Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act," and S.770, the "Social Security Expansion Act," introduced on March 5, 2025; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this body commits to opposing the closing of local Social Security offices. Instead encouraging more robust staffing of local office facilities to continue serving their community in a timely manner, as well as all communities across the state and the nation. This body will oppose state and federal cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security benefits, in support of House Bills, introduced March 5, 2025, “Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act”, “Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act”, and S.770, “The Social Security Expansion Act”.