House Dem Leaders Claim GOP Plans Include Changing Social Security

Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar Vice Chair Ted Lieu Their Jan. 31 weekly press conference was used to position and paint Republicans. “extreme” In their budget proposals and solutions.

Representatives from California suggested that both men believed the GOP was trying to undermine the well-being and health of older Americans. “dangerous” Federal social safety net programs are being cut.

Aguilar opened the press conference by noting, “Today is the 83rd anniversary of the first Social Security check being issued.

Rep. Ted W. Lieu, (D-Calif.), Vice Chair of House Democratic Caucus, speaks at a press conference in Washington with the incoming House Democratic Leadership on December 13, 2022. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

“On Jan. 31, 1940, Ida M. Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, was issued a $22.54 check. For eight decades America has kept its promise to seniors who earn every dollar that they receive.”

In fact, today’s Twitter feed shows that the Democratic Caucus It featured a photo featuring Fuller and her historic look.

Aguilar said that Democrats always protect Social Security in order to make sure that the “program is available to older Americans” And that “seven in 10 Americans share this concern and are looking to House Democrats.”

As the United States approaches a reckoning with its ability to meet its financial obligations and faces defaulting on its debt for the first time, the GOP is looking for a budget solution that may include agreeing to raise the federal debt ceiling—it currently stands at $31.4 trillion—if combined with spending cuts.

President Joe Biden has stated that he will not compromise with Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker, on Republican proposals to the debt ceiling.

Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker (Republican from California), at a news conference held in Statuary Hall of Washington’s U.S. Capitol Building on January 12, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

McCarthy is currently in an awkward spot with his fiscally conservative House colleagues, The Freedom Caucus. They offered him budget concessions in return for their votes to make McCarthy Speaker.

If serious spending reductions are on the table, they will only support him in his efforts to raise the debt limit.

And, yet, cutting seniors’ insurance programs of Social Security and Medicare is not part of the GOP budget proposal, says McCarthy.

McCarthy also insists that McCarthy’s GOP budget plan does not include raising the age at which an American can begin receiving Social Security benefits.

‘Extreme’ And ‘Dangerous’

But, there are Republican outliers when it comes to matters related to the social safety net.

Lieu suggested during the press conference that Social Security changes are part of the GOP plans. But they are being cautious.

He referred to the comment made by Chairman of House Budget Committee Jodey Arrington Recently, (R-Texas), gave a media interview.

“We do ask Republicans to show us their plan,” said Lieu. “The reason that they are unwilling to—is because it’s going to show massive cuts to Social Security.

“At the same time, we also know that Republican ideas are extreme and dangerous. How do we know that? They said it out loud.”

He said a CNBC interviewer asked Arrington—”The question I’d like to ask you is whether you think this debt ceiling is going to be used as a bargaining chip in a way that could turn dangerous?”

“Rep. Arington’s response was, ‘I believe it will and believe it has to.’”

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