It was Biden’s first main speech since leaving workplace.
Former President Joe Biden homed in on Social Safety in remarks on the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) convention on April 15. It was his first main speech since leaving workplace.
Whereas President Donald Trump ran on defending Social Safety, Biden sought to take up the mantle of Social Safety’s defender on stage in Chicago.
He mentioned the brand new administration had realized the mantra, “Transfer quick and break issues,” from the world of tech.
The speech additionally follows the passage of a price range reconciliation blueprint by Home and Senate Republicans, a key step in advancing a price range for fiscal yr 2025, and a flash level because the Trump administration and Republicans battle accusations of large-scale cuts to social companies.
The Home model of the invoice instructs the Vitality and Commerce Committee—which has jurisdiction over Medicaid and different packages—to chop $880 billion. That has spurred issues that Medicaid might lose funding.
“What are the 2 massive pots of cash on the market? In uncooked numbers, Social Safety and Medicaid,” Biden mentioned.
Biden was launched by former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who led the SSA for a part of the Biden administration.
The previous president additionally praised his administration’s document with Social Safety, citing main decreases in SSA phone wait instances and passage of the Social Safety Equity Act in early January. The act eradicated a provision that decreased Social Safety advantages for public workers whose jobs didn’t require them to pay Social Safety taxes.
“Social Safety is greater than a authorities program. It’s a sacred promise,” the previous president mentioned.
He additionally spoke in regards to the People with Disabilities Act of 1990, which he cosponsored whereas a senator from Delaware, together with many different senators from each events. President George H.W. Bush signed the invoice into regulation.
Many disabled People obtain funds by Social Safety Incapacity Insurance coverage, which is distinct from the ADA.
Biden referred to as the ADA “some of the consequential civil rights legal guidelines in American historical past.”
Each the ADA and Social Safety, he mentioned, have been key to People’ dignity.
