Auchincloss shares concerns about potential social security cuts
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Rep. Jake Auchincloss was in Fall River Thursday and said he’s concerned about potential cuts to Social Security and the potential shuttering of the building where city residents go to get their benefits.
Auchincloss said, as he saw it, Republicans are engaged in a three-part attack on the Social Security Administration.
“First they tried to degrade the quality and the service of social security,” he said. “They’re doing that by cutting off phone service for constituents that rely on it.”
He’s concerned parts two and three involve making fraudulent claims about waste within Social Security and then ultimately privatizing the program.
“They tried to do it under the George W. Bush administration,” Auchincloss added. “Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has already made it clear he wants to do it now. Just like Democrats fought it off under the Bush Administration, we will fight it off again.”
One Fall River resident who utilizes Social Security services at the office on North Main Street said she’s worried for her future after the office appeared on a list of buildings the Federal General Services Administration planned to sell off, before that list disappeared from the internet days later.
“I am going to be 77-years-old tomorrow and I have the good fortune of living very close to a social security building,” Susan Verge said. “I can tell you that the idea of losing this building is so hard for so many people in this community.”
President Donald Trump had repeatedly promised not to cut Social Security, but for people like Susan, they still have concerns.
“I am beyond scared because I am worried about the next stage,” Verge added. “Am I going to be able to afford to live?”
By: Kaitlin Gehlhaus
Source: ABC6 Providence