“You have my commitment, if you present analytics that say the best and highest use of American taxpayer dollars to support those who are on Social Security is somewhere else, then I’m going to support it. Do not pull any punches. Go after it the way you would in the private sector.” – Thom Tillis, March 25th 2025
Comments from those North Carolinians who would be on the receiving end of the punches:
- “It’s the way I feel about everything that’s coming out of Washington, D.C., right now. There is a total lack of compassion and humanity. Excuse me, but America is not Trump’s golden tower. It’s not a business… They have completely overlooked that the government is a service.” – North Carolina Veteran and Social Security recipient Bob Scott
- “I think about the people not who are older, but there are plenty of people who are on Social Security who are disabled or younger dependents that that need that to survive…I don’t understand how they’re going to get help that they need.” – Macon County resident Betsy Baste
- “I just hope they don’t close it, I really do. Because, it’s going to put a lot of people at a disadvantage” – Elizabeth City Veteran and Social Security recipient Ronald Sutton
At yesterday’s confirmation hearing for Frank J. Bisignano, Tillis openly endorsed shutting down SSA field offices, telling Bisignano to “not pull any punches” — a reckless move that would directly impact the 2.2 million North Carolinians who depend on Social Security benefits to pay for basics like medicine, rent, and groceries.
“Thom Tillis is giving Trump’s pick the green light to go after North Carolina’s seniors and their earned Social Security benefits — all to secure a spot on the MAGA train,” said Nico Delgado, spokesperson for American Bridge 21st Century. “North Carolinians won’t forget that Tillis is actively working to undermine the very benefits seniors depend on to survive.”
A recent poll shows most North Carolinians oppose Trump’s attacks on federal programs, but Tillis clearly missed the memo.
Transcript:
TILLIS: First of all, you know, this conversation about the field offices, I want to understand how they actually operate.
When you answer that question, what you’re going to find out is after you do the analytics, every member of Congress, except for me probably. will like your analytics except to the extent that it affects one of their offices and their district or state.
BISIGNANO: Yes.
TILLIS: And you have my commitment. If you present analytics that say the best and highest use of American taxpayer dollars to support those who are on Social Security is somewhere else, then I’m going to support it.
Do not pull any punches. Go after it the way you would in the private sector.
Published: Mar 26, 2025