Biden to deliver first public address since leaving White House
Former President Biden is set to deliver his first public address since leaving the White House, speaking at the national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) in Chicago on Tuesday, according to a release from the organization.
Biden will headline the event, which is set to focus on rallying bipartisan support for Social Security.
“We are deeply honored President Biden is making his first public appearance at ACRD’s sold-out conference,” Rachel Buck, the organization's executive director, said in a statement announcing Biden's participation.
“As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive. As a result, we are thrilled the president will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security.”
The showing will make for the former president's first public remarks since he left office in January — handing the White House back to President Trump, who has continued to blast his predecessor throughout his first few weeks in the Oval Office.
It also comes amid fears from Democrats that Trump's attempts to cut government bureaucracy and spending could ultimately damage Social Security and hurt those who depend on it.
Former Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley will also be in attendance, among other leaders and experts who work with Social Security programs.
“Our focus is on enabling the Social Security Administration to meet claimants’ needs by reducing red tape, strengthening claims processing, and ensuring unnecessary spending is eliminated," Blunt said in a release.
"Such progress is of profound importance to these vital programs and the millions of Americans who depend on them.”