Wasserman Schultz Dings GOP On Social Security Cuts
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) - As Republicans and Democrats battle over spending on Capitol Hill, a South Florida congresswoman is talking about what proposed cuts to Social Security could mean here.
During a stop at the SE Focal Point Senior Center in Hollywood, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz told the gathering that the Republican led House passed legislation (H.R.1) which could cut nearly two billion from the Social Security Administration's (SSA) budget for this fiscal year. The cuts would translate into millions below what they need to maintain basic service to the public.
Not only could the cuts put benefit payments at risk, Wasserman Schultz said field offices could be closed for a time.
"(The cuts) will potentially close Social Security offices for a full month of the seven remaining months in this fiscal year," said Wasserman Schultz.
As a result, seniors filing for disability claims would have to wait longer for benefits as would those who visit local field offices, or call the administration's 1-800 number, for basic services.
"This will curtail my life actually," said Bob Salz who relies on his Social Security checks to get by. "It's going to be a disaster for the seniors, it's a shame."
In addition to the furloughs, Wasserman Schultz said 168 SSA employees locally would lose their jobs. The closures and layoffs would mean a loss to the local economy of nearly $9 million. But it is not too late.
"I want to make sure that people can understand that they can have an impact, they can speak up, they should make sure that they push back against these cuts and explain that we can reduce the deficit responsibly, we can strike the right balance," said Wasserman Schultz.
Republican state representative Jose Felix Diaz said seniors should not be alarmed.
"I have no idea where Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz is getting her figures and what she's saying is not true," said Diaz. "People who receive Social Security should not be worried, as Social Security entitlements are in fact in a different part of the budget."
While everyone from politicians to economists agree that Social Security needs to be fixed, no one has put forth any concrete workable proposals.
Republican leaders say cuts to SSA are needed to balance the budget.
