DNC Chair Tom Perez, DNC Seniors Council Chair Steve Regenstreif, and former Social Security Administration official James Roosevelt, Jr. released the following statement celebrating the anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law:

“Social Security is the bedrock of the American middle class. For more than eight decades, this vital program has provided economic security to millions of Americans  – from retirees to working families to those living with disabilities.

“And yet, since its inception, Social Security has been vilified and targeted for destruction by the Republican Party. Despite promising to protect these benefits, Donald Trump and his cronies in Congress have only continued the Republican tradition of attacking the American people’s retirement security. Earlier this year, Trump proposed yet another budget that would slash billions from Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and other vital programs – all after giving huge tax breaks to big corporations and his wealthy friends.

“While Trump breaks yet another promise to American voters, Democrats are fighting to protect and expand Social Security. We’re proud to be the party that created Social Security, and we will continue to champion the economic dignity and retirement security every American deserves.”