Magaziner addresses residents' concerns at Shalom Apartments

WARWICK – Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02) visited Shalom Apartments on Feb. 18 to engage with residents about pressing issues affecting Rhode Islanders. Addressing the crowd, which was eager for clarity on housing, cost of living and other economic concerns, he began by sharing his background as the son of a New York Jew and an Irish Catholic from Worcester, Massachusetts. His opening remarks focused on the cost of living, social security funding and government ethics – key topics resonating with the audience of seniors.

A major concern raised was the rising cost of groceries, which Magaziner chalked up to corporate conglomeration reducing competition, raising prices and in turn making it harder for families to afford necessities. While he acknowledged the challenges posed by a globalized world and the desire to be able to produce more goods in America, he also emphasized the need for policies that support working families and his concern over tariffs.

On social security, the congressman highlighted his track record as a supporter of the Social Security 2100 bill, first introduced by Rep. John Larson (CT-01). The bill works to increase benefits by requiring high earners to contribute more, ensuring the long-term viability of the program. Currently, payroll taxes only apply to the first $170,000 of income, which means that a person making $10M and a person making $170K per year are contributing the same amount, allowing the very wealthy to contribute a smaller percentage of their income than lower earners. Magaziner argued that lifting this cap would extend the trust’s viability by 100 years and allow for benefit increases – news that was well received by the crowd.

Turning to health care, the congressman emphasized the success in capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients at $2,000 a year while still acknowledging that it should be lower. He highlighted his support for Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. And he focused on government ethics. He criticized the lack of Supreme Court ethics regulations, particularly highlighting justices receiving gifts from entities with cases before the Court. Additionally, he supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks as well as implementing congressional term limits. He justified these moves by stating they would “make Washington work better for people again.”

The Shalom Apartments’ residents posed a variety of questions, ranging from the history of Social Security, clarity on executive order processes, the RI Bridges hack – which affected some 650,000 Rhode Islanders in December 2024 – and concerns over offshore wind farms and the rise of BRICS, a growing alternative economic order led by China and Russia. In response, Magaziner emphasized the importance of democratic norms, international alliances with trusted allies and stability in global trade, which included the developing world. He reassured constituents that executive orders must align with the law and advocated for more government efficiency but in a lawful manner.

Finally, he reminded residents of the resources available to them. Magaziner’s office is only five minutes up the road from Shalom Apartments and provides assistance with federal issues including Social Security benefits, IRS disputes and passport delays. While one resident speculated about a future Senate run as Sen. Jack Reed is nearly 80, the congressman said he remains focused on his current role and expressed strong support for Reed and his contributions on behalf of Rhode Island and to the nation.

Rep. Seth Magaziner’s Warwick office is located at 935 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3003; 401-244-1201.

EMILY GAUDREAU (egaudreau@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of community advocacy and engagement at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.