MA Leaders Blast Trump Orders As Assault On Social Security

BOSTON — Massachusetts elected officials reacted swiftly and angrily to President Trump's executive order postponing collection of payroll taxes, which are key to funding Social Security and Medicare.

The president issued an order suspending collection of the tax, which is results in a 7.65 percent reduction in the regular paycheck of most workers, retroactive to Aug. 1. The order was one of Trump issued after the collapse of negotiations with Congress over extension of supplemental unemployment benefits and other economic measures meant to address the economic slowdown during the pandemic.

Trump had sought to make the payroll tax suspension a part of the economic package, but neither Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives nor Republican leaders in the Senate showed much interest in the idea. He has said he would seek to make the suspension permanent if he is re-elected.

Questions immediately arose as to the legality of the measures, which some experts said the president made without authority in law or the Constitution, or even whether they would work. But the swiftest criticism came from Democrats, who argued that the move would undermine the financial health of the Social Security and Medicare systems.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren called the move "a cruel joke."

Rep. Patrick Kennedy was more succinct.

His House colleague, Rep. Ayanna Presley, echoed the sentiment.