John,

This is a RED ALERT. Donald Trump is using the COVID-19 pandemic to sneak through a MASSIVE attack on our Social Security system.¹

Trump is calling in for $850 billion in economic stimulus to help people cope with the economic impact of social distancing. But $500 billion—more than half!—comes from reducing Social Security’s dedicated funding to zero.

This cut―which he calls the ‘payroll tax cut’―leaves out tipped workers, employees who lose shifts because of the economic slowdown, or people who lose their jobs entirely. Cutting Social Security contributions by definition only helps people who still have a regular paycheck.

This morning, senators who had previously dismissed this cut are signaling that “everything is on the table.”²

We need to mobilize NOW. And it must be done virtually since we can’t safely take to the streets.

Call your members of Congress NOW at (202) 224-3121, both senators AND your representative, and tell them:

Trump’s proposed cut to Social Security’s dedicated funding is an attack on our Social Security system. I call on you to oppose this so-called “payroll tax cut” and support direct $1,000 payments to all Americans, not just the ones whose jobs survive the economic downturn.

Cutting Social Security’s dedicated funding is an election-year trap for Democrats. If Trump wins re-election, he has already indicated privately that he will seek to make the cut permanent.³ And if Democrats restore Social Security’s dedicated funding, Republicans will say that their first act is increasing taxes by 12%.

This is an existential threat to our Social Security system. Social Security Works is fighting back―please, donate $7 or whatever you can today.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to protecting and expanding Social Security for current and future generations.

Michael Phelan
Social Security Works