We have huge news, team: After weeks of organizing and speaking out, the Poughkeepsie Social Security office has been taken OFF the DOGE closure list!

This news is a credit to every person who spoke out over the last few weeks – and it’s a study on what happens when communities take collective action. Here’s how it happened:

Pat told you about the Social Security office in Poughkeepsie being closed without adequate warning in his first “Patriot Weekly” edition on February 13th. With the news of that closing, and the tens of thousands seniors it directly impacted, Pat sprung into action. He immediately wrote a letter to the Social Security Administration demanding it be opened and introduced the “Protecting Social Security Act” to protect benefits for seniors across the country.

In the weeks that followed, the Poughkeepsie Social Security field office appeared on the DOGE website under a list of savings – citing an end date for the office.

Pat and the Hudson Valley did not throw up their hands and give in, instead they held speak outs and rallies and put pressure on every elected official of every level, calling attention to the very real impacts this closure would have on the community. And that work paid off.

This is a real win for the Hudson Valley, but the fight is far from over.

Elon Musk and DOGE have made it clear that Social Security is at the top of their target list. The Social Security Administration is still closing offices across the country, and they announced plans this week to cut vital telephone services.

We must remain vigilant in protecting these benefits. Pat will continue leading the way and will keep you updated on the fight.

Thanks,

Team Pat Ryan