Outrage and exposure halts Trump's plans for Social Security service cuts
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Who is Congressman John Larson and why is he significant?
Congressman John Larson represents Hartford, Connecticut. And he's an old guy, and I say that with affection. He's in his mid to late 70s. He's held this seat in Congress from Connecticut for more than 25 years. And he may look familiar to you. He may not. He's not one of the more famous longtime members of Congress.
What was the recent health scare involving Rep. John Larson?
That said, if you have seen news about him recently in the past few weeks, it was for a not good reason. There was worrying news about him just about a month ago now. He was speaking on the House floor, and he froze up. He stopped speaking suddenly and awkwardly, and then he seemed to really have a hard time starting up his speech again. He just froze. It was clearly some kind of medical incident. It was definitely scary to see. He did not pass out or anything. He went to the Capitol physician. They ran some tests on him. His office says the conclusion was that they think basically he just had an adverse reaction to a new medication he had just started. The good news is by later that day, he was back at his office. He was having regular meetings and was apparently OK.
But again, that health scare, that little point of alarm about Congressman John Larson, that was only just about a month ago. That said, here tonight, I'm happy to report that Congressman John Larson is definitely back and at full strength. He has been eating his proverbial Wheaties. He appears to be very hydrated, very energized. And may I suggest you get out of his way. Watch this.
Why is there outrage over plans to cut Social Security services?
Men and women on this committee are good people. They're honest and caring people. And that's why I do not understand why you would relegate this committee to no longer being of significance and resort to saying you will do whatever Elon Musk and Donald Trump tell you to do. Where's the independence of the committee? Where's the legislature? We're an equal branch of government. And you start off with a blather? And yet, look at the empty seats here. Where's Elon Musk? I'm sure he's a genius and is a very credible person because of the wealth he's accumulated. But that does not put him above the law or the responsibility to come before this committee and this Congress. If he's so great, if these plans and all the fraud and abuse that he's found are so eminent, why isn't he here explaining it? You know why. Because he's out to privatize Social Security. He's been on television the last couple of days talking exactly about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and what he intends to do. Privatize it.
The American people, some of them may have been born at night, but not last night. People are aware of this. Every single one of your districts. Now you have someone coming in to privatize a system, something you have longed to do going back to 1982. Because Elon Musk thinks that this is the best thing to do. President Trump has called Social Security a scam. Elon Musk, as Mr. Neal said, called it a Ponzi scheme. Ask that of the people in your district. Ask that, Mr. Smith, of the more than 198,000 people in your district who rely on Social Security, and you won't even let the person who's planning to privatize it, who's telling the big lie in front of everyone. in bold as he possibly can, saying, this is what we're going to do.
The Congress is in our back pocket. We don't even have to come before them and testify, because we control the House, we control the Senate, and we control the presidency. And it's the tyranny of the executive. It's why these revolutions were first adopted back in 1789, because the founding fathers knew that the executive branch does not have total authority over the legislature unless you have a willing party that says, no, we're going to do exactly what you tell us to do, Mr. Musk and Mr. President. It doesn't matter to our constituents. It doesn't matter how much money they are not going to receive. We're not even going to tell them the truth about what's going to happen to them. They administer to over 70 million people in the nation's number one anti-poverty program for the elderly and children. Shame! Shame! Can't bring people in front of this body. If he's right, if they're so good, if they're so just, why aren't they here telling the American people about it? They're not because you know the truth. It's about privatization. I yield back.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Who is Congressman John Larson and why is he significant?
0:00–0:20
2
What was the recent health scare involving Rep. John Larson?
0:20–1:40
3
Why is there outrage over plans to cut Social Security services?
1:40–6:16
4
What was Elon Musk's proposed change to Social Security?
6:16–10:49
5
How did public pushback stop Social Security cuts?
10:49–15:18
6
How are constituents reacting to congressmen avoiding town halls?
15:18–25:00
7
What are the implications of the mass firings in federal agencies?
25:00–35:54
8
What is happening in 'Cancer Alley' and why is it significant?
35:54–44:27
Speakers
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