Chuck Schumer was for rooting out Social Security fraud by illegals before he was against it.
A video of Schumer circa 1996 was unearthed by Western Lensman and made the rounds on X. Elon Musk couldn’t help but point out the ridiculous pendulum swing by today’s Democrats.
The 1996 version of Schumer wanted to tighten security measures on Social Security to limit fraud and to “disincentivize” illegal immigration since America’s social welfare safety next “encourages” illegals to pour into the country.
1996 Schumer argued on the House floor against illegals getting Social Security cards.
“I thank the gentleman. Salute him for his work on this rise in support of the amendment. First of all, Social Security card is used from one end of America to the other as an identification card right now. Who are we kidding? If you want to pass a law and says it shouldn’t be, I would ask the chairman and the distinguished minority member of the Social Security Committee to pass that law, but let’s admit the truth.”
“Everywhere people go, they’re asked for a Social Security card. In fact, one way to prove you’re a bona fide person who can have a job is to ask for a driver’s license and a Social Security card.”
“This is an anti-fraud amendment.”
“All over where we go, people say, ‘Well, why can’t you stop illegal immigrants or others from coming here.'”
“The number one answer we give our constituents is when they come here, they can get jobs, get benefits against the law because of fraud.”
“And here, the gentleman from Florida has put together the most effective anti-fraud measure we can find without it changing the actions of the government one bit.”
“And we find all this opposition. Ladies and gentlemen of this chamber, what I worry about is that this bill, which started out with good intentions, whether you agree with it or disagree with it, is going to end up being the same thing that the public gets angry with us on.”
“We say we’re doing something and we do nothing.”
“Because every time someone makes a rational and small proposal to get something done, people say, ‘Well, what about this hypothetical, that hypothetical, et cetera?’ I urge support of this amendment.”
“If you believe you want to stop fraud in immigration, you have no choice but to support this amendment.”
Elon Musk shared the video of Schumer sounding like a DOGE enthusiast, remarking, “This is pure gold.”
“The 1996 model Schumer is right!”
Watch:
This is pure gold
The 1996 model Schumer is right! https://t.co/4mOmA54VX8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 3, 2025
