Attorney General Charity Clark, along with 21 other state attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief supporting an injunction to prevent actions by acting administrator Leland Dudek and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that allegedly threaten social security payments. The brief was submitted in the ongoing case, American Association of People with Disabilities v. Dudek, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Attorney General Clark emphasized the importance of protecting Social Security, stating: “Ordinary, hardworking Vermonters spent their lives paying into a system that’s now jeopardized by a reckless trampling through the Social Security Administration.”
Concerns have been raised about the impact of Dudek and DOGE's management, cited as erratic and potentially harmful to consistent benefit distribution to millions of Americans. Workers report instability within the Social Security Administration, with abrupt policy changes and office closures posing a threat to its operations. Critics argue these actions have lacked a clear rationale, attributing them to misinformation surrounding fraud, waste, and abuse.
Statements from entities like Musk, falsely claiming significant improper payments, and Trump, wrongly suggesting payments to centenarians, have been refuted. The SSA’s Inspector General found that less than 1% of benefits paid from 2015 to 2022 were improper, primarily due to administrative errors rather than fraudulent activities. Dudek has also denied the accuracy of such fraud claims.
Social Security remains crucial for many Americans' basic living needs and is linked to other essential programs like Medicaid and Medicare. A survey by the National Academy of Social Insurance highlights the reliance on these benefits, with substantial percentages of individuals 65 and older relying heavily on Social Security for their income.
The plaintiffs assert that staffing reductions and reorganizations have impaired SSA’s ability to serve beneficiaries, violating multiple legal statutes including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The brief supports their demand for a preliminary injunction.
The amicus brief represents attorneys general from various states and the District of Columbia, working in concert to address concerns about the future of Social Security administration.