Team, 

For too long, our country has treated people living in U.S. territories as second-class citizens.

A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court decided to continue the unfair exclusion of residents of U.S. Territories from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a federal benefit that provides additional income for older adults and people with disabilities that have little to no income.

Folks, let’s be clear: This is an unfair, reprehensible, and discriminatory practice. It is an inequitable treatment of hard-working tax paying American citizens, and we need to pass legislation to ensure American citizens are not being treated unfairly by outdated court opinions.    

But here’s the important part, friends: Extending SSI to all will only happen if Democrats are in power. If inclusion of all Americans is going to become a reality, then we need Democrats in charge in January 2023, not far-right Republicans uninterested in helping those struggling to make ends meet. Contribute today and defend the majority so we can finally end this exclusionary, discriminatory practice.

The decision by the Court is disappointing. Once again, we are reminded of and kept to second class citizenship and treatment.

What possible justification can there be to uphold a ruling that prevents elderly and disabled people from receiving vital support for basic necessities like food and shelter?

There is no justification. Whether someone lives or is born in the territories or not, they are American citizens and should not be denied access to benefits every American living on the mainland has access to. Join me in defending our Democratic majority and finally end practices that relegate hard working Americans to second class citizens.

– Stacey Plaskett