During a campaign visit to the Scottish Rite Park senior living community, Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Josh Turek met with older residents and prominent advocacy leaders to call for the preservation and expansion of critical safety-net programs, placing Social Security reform at the center of his legislative platform.
The event underscored a stark policy contrast in the race for Iowa's open seat in the United States Senate, where Turek is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. Turek argued that while his opponent has consistently supported legislative measures that curb resources for federal entitlement programs, his own priorities focus on bolstering them for current and future retirees.
At the core of Turek’s proposals to protect the long-term solvency of the Social Security system is the elimination of the statutory income cap on payroll taxes. Turek maintained that lifting this contribution ceiling remains the single most effective strategy to secure the program's financial future without diminishing benefits.
Turek criticized the structure of the existing tax framework, describing it as fundamentally unfair to working-class citizens. He pointed out that typical Americans are required to contribute into Social Security from their paychecks all year long, while ultra-wealthy individuals such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk stop contributing on significant portions of their earnings due to the cap.
In addition to removing the payroll tax limit, the discussion highlighted complementary policy measures aimed at easing the financial strain on older adults and addressing broader wealth disparities. These include establishing price caps on insulin, empowering the federal government to negotiate prescription drug prices, and curbing tax avoidance practices.
Former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley appeared alongside Turek to offer his formal endorsement. O’Malley emphasized to attendees that the future of federal retirement and healthcare programs represents the defining difference between the two Senate candidates, arguing that Turek would work to expand and fortify benefits rather than reduce them.
Speaking with reporters following the panel, O’Malley voiced strong criticism of Hinson's voting record in the U.S. House. O'Malley asserted that Hinson backed cuts of up to $452 million to the Social Security Administration, voted in favor of Medicaid reductions, and supported efforts linked to DOGE that led to the departure of one out of every five agency staff members.
Advocates pointed out that operational cuts and staffing losses have caused widespread disruption for individuals seeking assistance from the agency. Among the local consequences cited by the group was the previous shutdown of the Social Security field branch in Decorah, which was forced to close its doors due to insufficient personnel.
Max Richtman, the president and chief executive officer of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, also attended the event to announce his group’s endorsement of Turek. Richtman stated that the organization, which represents over 12,450 members, granted its backing following a "gold standard" recommendation from former U.S. Senator and advisory board chairman Tom Harkin.
Jon Bauman, president of the Social Security Works PAC, similarly criticized Hinson's legislative background based on evaluations by senior advocacy organizations. Bauman noted that a scorecard compiled by the Alliance for Retired Americans determined that Hinson votes contrary to the best interests of Iowa seniors nine out of every ten times.
In his address to the residents, Turek offered a formal pledge to seniors across the state, vowing to defend and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. He stressed that these programs provide essential support for millions of Americans who rely on them to cover routine living expenses and basic medical care.
Turek linked the fight over federal safety nets to broader healthcare difficulties in Iowa, stating that as many as 842 healthcare entities have ceased operations across the state since Hinson entered national office. He argued that voting to diminish funding causes severe downstream damage in a state already grappling with severe cancer, mental health, and medical access crises.
The Hinson campaign strongly rejected the criticisms regarding her record on federal entitlement programs. In an emailed statement, Hinson Campaign Communications Director Billy Fuerst asserted that Hinson has never voted to reduce Social Security funding and pledged that she would never cut a penny from the program, dismissing Turek's claims as campaign rhetoric.
Fuerst addressed the July 2024 vote cited by critics, explaining that the legislation instituted a 4% reduction targeted specifically at administrative staffing funds for central offices in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. He stressed that the measure included no reductions in benefit payments and did not cut funding for public-facing field offices that interact directly with seniors.
Fuerst further underscored Hinson’s legislative history by pointing to her support for both the Social Security Fairness Act and the Working Families Tax Cuts. He also referenced Hinson's prior public statements in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, where she went on record opposing any efforts to raise the federal retirement age.
Regarding local office access in northern Iowa, Hinson's campaign referenced a June press release highlighting the reopening of the Decorah Social Security office over the summer. According to the release, the facility resumed its operations following persistent advocacy efforts led by Hinson on behalf of area residents.
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