Social Security advocates are coming out against a House Budget Committee resolution released Tuesday that proposes a debt commission that could recommend cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, said Tuesday in a statement that the White House "has accurately labeled a commission as a 'death panel' for Social Security. The only reason to make changes to Social Security via a closed-door, fast-track commission is to cut benefits."
The resolution was released by House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in June that he was working to assemble a commission to look at potential cuts in spending across the entire federal government, including on key social insurance programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
The commisison is discussed on pages 76-78 of the Republican budget.
It states that the "United States faces a significant debt crisis, with the national debt currently standing at nearly $33 trillion. This debt poses a significant risk to the country's long-term fiscal sustainability, with implications for future generations. The drivers of U.S. debt include entitlement spending such as Social Security and Medicare and discretionary government spending. To address these challenges, a comprehensive review of the United States' current debt situation is necessary to ensure that the country's financial future is secure."
Republicans, Altman said, "desperately want Democrats to provide cover for Social Security cuts, which are rightfully unpopular with voters of all parties. This is why their budget calls for a 'bipartisan' commission. Democrats should refuse to cooperate. Instead, they should continue to work to protect and expand Social Security through regular Congressional order."
