1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

​I am writing to you today as a concerned constituent and a proud American who has dedicated 45 years to working and paying into Social Security. This isn't a handout; it's a benefit I earned. ​Social Security is the bedrock of retirement for millions of Americans and our nation's most effective anti-poverty program. Yet, I am alarmed by recent statements from E.J. Antoni, President Trump's appointee to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Mr. Antoni has publicly labeled Social Security a "Ponzi scheme" that should be "sunset." These are not just careless words; they are an attack on the very promise of a secure retirement for hardworking Americans. ​As you know, the BLS is the very agency responsible for the data that determines annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security benefits. To appoint someone with a stated goal of dismantling the program to a position of power within this agency is deeply troubling. This action threatens to undermine the financial security of retirees across our district and the entire country. ​Decades of American prosperity and comfortable retirement are at stake. I urge you to use the power of your office to protect the Social Security benefits that I and millions of others have worked our entire lives to earn. Please stand up for your constituents and ensure our hard-earned retirement is not jeopardized.