Rally: It’s Time Representative Miller-Meeks and Congress Protect Our Social Security Checks

On Saturday, over 80 Iowans gathered at the Westland Mall in Burlington for a rally to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, recognize the positive impact Social Security has had for millions of working Americans, and urge Congress not to make cuts to Social Security in order to give tax breaks for billionaires. 

At the rally, which was part of a national Protect Our Checks day of action featuring over 50 events across the country, attendees shared stories of how they and their families are being directly impacted by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ support for cuts and job losses at the Social Security Administration — forcing local offices to make staffing cuts, implement funding freezes and reduce the services they provide. Instead of protecting her constituents and ensuring the vital resources they rely on are protected, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has prioritized tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and corporations.

State Senator Mike Zimmer (SD-35): “Today we celebrate the 90th Birthday of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act of 1935. We also celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion because the driving force behind this Act was the first woman to hold a U.S. Cabinet position, Secretary of Labor Francis Perkins, who is response to the crushing weight of 25 percent unemployment at the height of the Great Depression, advocated for unemployment insurance, health insurance, and old-age insurance. 

While I'm never a proponent of legislation created between midnight and 5:00 AM, I do celebrate the 2:00 AM creation of Social Security for retired workers by the Committee on Economic Security, whose members vowed “we’re never going to review it again.” The Social Security Act of 1935 embodied Secretary Francis Perkin’s vision that by working together with common community values and pooling resources this country could create a level economic playing field for retired workers.

Unfortunately today, we cannot trust the current administration to protect any laws that support a level economic playing field. Every man for himself, especially those making millions and billions of dollars, is today’s mantra. We need to protect Social Security by writing, calling, and petitioning our local Congressional Representatives, including Mariannette Miller-Meeks. 90 years ago we fought to create Social Security together and together 90 years later we’re going to have to fight to protect it!”

State Representative Elinor Levin: “90 years of Social Security is 90 years of knowing that everyone who works in this country is putting something aside for the future. Not enough to retire in comfort. Not enough for luxury. But enough to meet basic needs. Enough for the elders we're so proud of to get by. With Social Security making up half of the income for more than half our elder Iowans, this is what it looks like to meet basic needs. To keep a roof over our heads, put food and clean water on the table, and go to the doctor when we need care. 

It is also 90 years of a little bit of help after tragedy, including for my mother, who received a little extra from what my father paid into Social Security after he died when I was a kid. Not replacing his financial responsibility to our family, but helping make the ends meet as she worked her tail off to raise three daughters, unexpectedly alone.

Instead of supporting Iowans, today our Congressional delegation - and especially Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks - have abandoned their responsibility to speak up for those in need.”