Rep. Mike Lawler’s Stance on Social Security Sparks Controversy at Town Hall
During a town hall in Rockland, NY, Republican Representative Mike Lawler committed to protecting Social Security, only to later suggest potential changes that could affect millions. Lawler, campaigning for a second term in New York’s 17th district against Democrat Mondaire Jones, made these remarks on July 2.
When asked if he would consider raising the retirement age beyond 67, Lawler responded emphatically, “For our seniors, this is one of the most important issues. Let me be abundantly clear and in very plain English: I will not cut Social Security. I will not cut Medicare. And anyone suggesting or trying to lie to people, to suggest otherwise, is wrong.”
However, in the same breath, Lawler suggested measures that could potentially reduce benefits. “I think long term, you need to have a commission that looks at all aspects of funding Social Security and how we keep the program solid,” he explained. “That includes looking at FICA and lifting the cap on payroll taxes … It looks at long-term. You know, I’m 37 years old. What is the age that may have to be considered? But that has to be looked at holistically. And you can’t make those determinations in a vacuum.”
Although Lawler emphasized he would not support changes for current Social Security recipients, the potential for future cuts remains a concern.
The last significant review of Social Security, conducted by a commission during President Ronald Reagan’s administration in 1981, led to benefit reductions, including raising the retirement age and taxing benefits as income.
The Center On Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a progressive think tank, views raising the retirement age as a cut to Social Security. A 2023 CBPP analysis argued that such changes would disproportionately affect low- and middle-income Americans. The analysis stated, “Raising the retirement age cuts benefits for all new retirees — that is, those claiming Social Security benefits for the first time. These cuts could be deep, and they would fall hardest on lower- and middle-income beneficiaries because they rely most heavily on Social Security benefits. Moreover, they have not seen the life expectancy gains that higher-income people have experienced and that are often used as the rationale for raising the retirement age.”
Social Security currently supports 67 million people, with about 4 million beneficiaries residing in New York state. A 2023 AP-NORC poll revealed that 79% of Americans are against any cuts to Social Security.
The electoral contest between Jones and Lawler is notably close, with a GBAO poll from September indicating that Jones trails Lawler by less than two percentage points.
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