Davids Marks 90th Anniversary of Social Security, Vows to Protect Benefits for Kansans

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined Kansans and advocates at AARP’s Social Security 90th Anniversary Celebration to highlight her efforts to strengthen the program and push back against extreme Republican attacks that threaten the retirement security of millions.

“Kansans have paid into Social Security their entire working lives, and I’m fighting to make sure they get the support they’ve earned,” said Davids. “Billionaires and politicians who want to cut Social Security are out of touch with the realities Kansans face. I’ll keep standing up against their reckless plans and working to protect this program for current and future generations.”

Social Security is the foundation of retirement security for millions of Americans and provides essential benefits to families and people with disabilities. In Kansas’ Third District alone, 130,424 residents receive Social Security, including more than 105,000 retirees, nearly 10,000 disabled workers, and over 6,000 children.

But President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly undermined this critical program. President Trump called Social Security a “scam,” while his Treasury Secretary admitted their agenda was a “back door for privatizing Social Security.” This year, the administration forced the largest staffing cut in the Social Security Administration’s history — worsening backlogs, delaying payments, and straining customer service. Nationwide, SSA staffing has dropped by 20% since March 2024, even as beneficiaries have increased.

Davids has consistently defended Social Security and delivered real results:

• Helped pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, repealing outdated rules that cut benefits for millions of public sector retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
  • Over 3.1 million earned payments have already been sent out.
• Voted against extreme Republican budget proposals that would allow Trump to fire SSA workers, close local offices, and delay benefits.
• Continued efforts to strengthen both Social Security and Medicare, ensuring these programs remain secure for today’s seniors and future generations.

Republican plans would slash funding and weaken Social Security’s trust funds, risking a 19 percent cut in benefits by 2034. Davids made clear she will fight any attempt to reduce benefits for Kansans.

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