Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: On Social Security’s 90th anniversary, Van Orden and Steil are full speed ahead in their efforts to dismantle it

After promising to protect Social Security, the Republican Trifecta has cut, gutted, and pushed a scheme to privatize this vital program

A foundational cornerstone of America’s middle class, Social Security turns 90 today. For nearly a century, the program has been the ticket to financial security for millions of Americans who have worked hard to retire with grace and dignity. 

But Derrick Van Orden, Bryan Steil, and D.C. Republicans are hellbent on destroying it at the behest of billionaires. 

A recap of Van Orden, Steil, and the Administration’s actions to date:

• Van Orden and Steil voted for the Big, Ugly Law, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted was a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”
   
• Van Orden and Steil fully submitted to Elon Musk’s plan to gut the agency, which cut phone lines, fired staff, and laid off workers through his cruel DOGE effort. To date, Social Security offices have lost an estimated 20% of staff. 
   
• The Administration rolled out a proposal to cut disability benefits to recipients.
   
• According to the Chief Actuary, the Social Security trust fund is predicted to run out of money faster than previous estimates because of the  Big, Ugly Law.

Social Security By The Numbers:

• 1,332,623 Wisconsinites receive Social Security.
   
• 107,418 Wisconsinites receive Supplemental Security Income (disability benefits).
   
• 63% of retirees rely on Social Security for at least half of their income.
   
• Social Security lifts more than 322,000 Wisconsinites out of poverty.
   
• 79% say Social Security earned benefits shouldn’t be reduced in any way.

DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene:
“For 90 years, Social Security has represented our nation’s promise that every American worker deserves to retire with dignity and peace of mind. Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil have chosen to break that promise, falling in line behind cruel efforts to reduce benefits and open a dangerous backdoor for privatization. Van Orden and Steil lied on the campaign trail to get elected and have proven that they do not work for Wisconsinites – they work for the wealthy and well-connected. The DCCC will hold Van Orden and Steil accountable for their broken promises every day until Wisconsinites vote them out of office next November.”