by Mary Savage
Earlier this year, Congress voted to increase the debt ceiling and gave relief to senior citizens, and those approaching retirement age, knowing that Social Security and Medicare were safe from cuts. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) then announced plans for a commission to cut these programs behind closed doors. McCarthy understood the only way to cut our owed benefits is to make a secret deal and present it to the American people under the guise of being “bipartisan, on both sides of the aisle.” This would give cover to members of both major political parties. Then, voters won’t know who to blame at election time. But Americans know the only way to win at this is not to play.
Now, newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wants to push for the same social safety net-cutting commission that would, of course, meet in secret. The American people must speak up and say that any debate on Social Security and Medicare’s future must be done in the open. The working public then will see and compare the Democratic Party’s plans to expand Social Security (Google ‘The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust’ – HB 4583, introduced by Rep. John Larson, D-Ct) with the Republican Party’s plans for cuts.
Let’s tell Congress to stand united and refuse to serve on any Social Security/Medicare-cutting commission. Instead, tell them to support Larson’s bill, HB 4583. Call the Capitol switchboard to be connected with your House representative: 1-202-224-3121. Find your House representative on the website: www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. Be civil, and know that you speak for the majority because the American people want to keep these programs strong.