In Omaha, former Social Security commissioner says midterms essential to protecting program

Source: Omaha World Herald

Josh Reyes Aug 14, 2025 Updated 6 hrs ago

A group of about 50 people in Omaha spent the 90th anniversary of Social Security on Thursday with the program’s former commissioner, who said the program is in peril but able to be saved.

Martin O’Malley, who also was governor of Maryland, stopped in an Omaha union hall as part of a national tour dubbed “Win Back Our Country” and focused on educating people about the program that provides 69 million Americans 65 and older with monthly benefits. He spoke alongside State Sen. John Cavanaugh, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District. Most in the crowd wore stickers supporting his candidacy.

O’Malley and Cavanaugh described Social Security as an efficient program that’s allowed generations of older Americans to live in dignity. They also said it’s in danger because of administrative cuts under DOGE and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s statement that President Donald Trump’s program for children’s savings accounts “in a way” are a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”

The president has said the “Trump accounts” program, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, would be additive to Social Security. He signed a proclamation Thursday celebrating Social Security and said, “On the 90th anniversary of the establishment of this historic program, I recommit to always defending Social Security, rewarding the men and women who make our country prosperous, and taking care of our own workers, families, seniors and citizens first.”




State Sen. John Cavanaugh, right, and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley described Social Security as an efficient program that has helped generations of older Americans, but one that’s in danger because of administrative cuts.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Read more: http://archive.today/vMDXN

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Original PAY link: https://omaha.com/news/local/government-politics/article_788966ae-65c4-4fd4-9dd8-3014f6cd3e3f.html

The DU has raised OVER $3.5 MILLION for Democrat candidates over the years!

Our first 4 links for the 2026 mid-term cycle are in (Omaha) the Blue Dot.

Both Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, two of the leading election forecast publications, have upgraded their ratings for Nebraska’s 2nd District from toss-up to leans Democratic. Making it a likely candidate for big spending as the GOP attempts to maintain or bolster its small majority, and Democrats try to take back control.

https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings

https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-house/

The Cook Political Report wrote: “If Democrats don’t win Nebraska’s 2nd District next year, it’s almost impossible to see them taking control of the House.”


There will be at least 5 Democrats that will be running in the primary next May. The DU is neutral in all races between Democrats. That said, here are the four DU ActBlue links we have so far for the NE-2 primary Blue Dot race.

Democratic Underground for Crystal Rhoades (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4crystalrhoades

Democratic Underground for Kishla Askins (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4kishlaaskins

Democratic Underground for Denise Powell (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4denisepowell

Democratic Underground for John Cavanaugh (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4johncavanaugh

A fifth candidate (Evangelos Argyrakis) has no ActBlue page for a donation link: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220506044