River Bend Times

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, delivered an opening statement at a hearing titled "Social Security Forever: Delivering Benefits and Protecting Retirement Security" on September 11, 2024. Grassley began by acknowledging the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who lost their lives and honoring first responders.

Grassley addressed the urgency of strengthening Social Security, citing projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that indicate Social Security’s primary trust fund will only be able to pay 75 percent of scheduled benefits by 2033. He called for bipartisan cooperation to address this impending issue.

"Congress must work in a bipartisan fashion to save Social Security once and for all," Grassley stated. He emphasized the need for listening to diverse viewpoints and invited Molly Dahl from the non-partisan CBO and Shai Akabas from the Bipartisan Policy Center to provide insights on Social Security's finances and potential solutions.

Grassley expressed hope for a serious discussion devoid of political fearmongering but noted his skepticism given the ongoing presidential election. He criticized past Democratic tactics during elections, particularly referencing actions taken during the 2020 presidential campaign which he claimed misrepresented Republican intentions regarding Social Security.

He welcomed former Governor O’Malley, now serving as Social Security Commissioner, urging him to avoid election year scare tactics and focus on improving customer service at Social Security offices. Grassley highlighted complaints from Iowans about difficulties in contacting Social Security offices, noting that limited in-office staff might contribute to these challenges.

In response to comments suggesting Republicans are waiting for Social Security to go broke before proposing a plan, Grassley pointed out historical precedents where bipartisan efforts resolved similar crises. He recalled how leaders like Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill worked together in 1984 to address issues with Social Security despite partisan differences.

Grassley concluded with a call for similar leadership today: "The trouble is, there’s no Reagans or Tip O’Neills in Washington right now. That’s the sad commentary of why something isn’t getting done."

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Senate Budget Committee - Main Office

624 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

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Fax: (202) 224-4835