Biden Emphasizes Social Security in Speech Following Presidency
This marked Biden’s first significant speech since leaving the presidency.
Former President Joe Biden focused on Social Security during his address at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference on April 15. This event marked his first major speech since vacating office.
While former President Donald Trump campaigned on the promise of safeguarding Social Security, Biden aimed to position himself as the protector of this program during his remarks in Chicago.
Biden noted that the current administration adopted the tech industry’s motto, “Move fast and break things.”
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This speech also coincides with the approval of a budget reconciliation plan by House and Senate Republicans, a crucial milestone in shaping the fiscal year 2025 budget, amid rising concerns over potential cuts to social services from the Trump administration and Republican leaders.
The House iteration of the bill mandates the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and other related programs, to implement cuts amounting to $880 billion, raising alarm about possible funding reductions for Medicaid.
“What are the two substantial sources of funding available? In sheer numbers, Social Security and Medicaid,” Biden asserted.
Biden was introduced at the event by former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who previously managed the SSA during part of Biden’s administration.
The former president praised his administration’s achievements regarding Social Security, highlighting substantial reductions in SSA phone wait times and the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act earlier in January. This act abolished a rule that lowered Social Security benefits for public employees not obliged to pay Social Security taxes.
“Social Security is more than just a government program. It represents a sacred commitment,” Biden stated.
He also reflected on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which he co-sponsored when he served as a senator from Delaware, together with many bipartisan colleagues. President George H.W. Bush enacted the law.
Numerous disabled Americans depend on Social Security Disability Insurance, which is separate from the ADA.
Biden described the ADA as “one of the most significant civil rights legislations in American history.”
Both the ADA and Social Security, he asserted, are vital to ensuring Americans’ dignity.
