[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1469-H1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY
(Mr. Magaziner of Rhode Island was recognized to address the House
for 5 minutes.)
Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the more than 120,000
people in my district who count on Social Security, a sacred promise
earned through decades of hard work.
[[Page H1470]]
Social Security is the bedrock of retirement for the middle class. It
means dignity after a lifetime of work.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are firing the staff that run the Social
Security office, all to find more money to pay for tax cuts for
billionaires, and the impact has been devastating.
Last month alone, the Social Security website crashed four times in
10 days for hours, in one case for almost an entire day, locking
retirees out of their accounts.
People who try to call the Social Security offices are on hold for
hours because all the staff in the offices have been fired.
Now, they are threatening to shut down the phone lines altogether and
close offices all across the country.
These aren't glitches. These are deliberate choices for no good
reason. This is a violation of the sacred promise of Social Security,
and I am urging this body and Members on both sides of the aisle to
listen to your constituents and stand up for the working people of your
districts who have paid into Social Security. This is their benefit
that they have earned.
Tell Elon Musk to get his hands off of the Social Security
Administration.
{time} 1045
Recognizing Rhode Island State Police's Centennial Anniversary
Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a century of
service from the Rhode Island State Police.
For 100 years, the men and women of the Rhode Island State Police
have answered the call through hurricanes and blizzards, working on the
highways, in cyberspace, and undercover, always committed to keeping
Rhode Islanders safe.
Established in 1925, the Rhode Island State Police was a new type of
police force. They were tasked with reaching and serving the areas that
were often underserved by the local police.
In the 1930s, the Rhode Island State Police established their
headquarters in North Scituate, where they remain to this day.
During their 100 years, they have been known for excellence in
disrupting organized crime, responding to emergencies, solving complex
financial and cybercrimes, and keeping the roads safe and traffic
moving. They also have a history of lending a hand to other States in
their times of need, including in Massachusetts after the Boston
Marathon bombing.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Rhode Island State Police for a century of
service. They have our gratitude and our support.
Support for Caregivers
Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, every day in this country, millions of
people wake up and serve as caregivers for a parent, spouse, or a
sibling who is aging, sick, or disabled.
Let's be clear that this is work. It may not come with a title or a
W-2. Yet, for those family members who need a little extra help, it
means the world. In spite of the important role that family caregivers
play, they too often go overlooked.
That is why I am working with a bipartisan group of colleagues to
introduce legislation to make the lives and work of caregivers a little
easier. Together, we are introducing bills to expand access to tax-free
savings accounts to cover the costs of medical expenses, to improve
communication between Medicare and caregivers to streamline the
benefits process, and to create a new $5,000 tax credit to help offset
the costs of family caregiving.
Just a few weeks ago, I joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of
colleagues to introduce the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act to
eliminate red tape for caregivers. Caregiving back home in my district
and across the country deserves support and deserves respect, and I am
calling on my colleagues to join me in helping those who give so much.
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