Demand Progress

Republicans are trying to destroy Social Security ― but they don’t want us to know it.

In one of his very first moves as House leader, Speaker Mike Johnson called for the 'immediate' creation of a so-called “debt” commission.¹ This is a classic GOP move to cover their true objectives — cutting Social Security and Medicare.

Because these cuts are deeply unpopular, Republicans want to slash the social safety net behind closed doors. We must let Congress know we’re watching and that a vote for a so-called "fiscal commission" is a vote to cut Social Security and Medicare.

Sign the petition: Tell Congress NO fiscal commission and NO cuts to Social Security and Medicare!

Earlier this year, the House GOP released a plan to raise the Social Security retirement age to 69, which would result in benefit reductions across the board for seniors.² And the right-wingers in Congress will use a fiscal commission to enact their plan plus even worse cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits.

The GOP plan would hurt seniors and families AND continue to protect the ultra-rich — millionaires and billionaires who pay a far lower percentage of their incomes in Social Security taxes than the average American. We need to strengthen Social Security, by removing these ridiculous loopholes and increasing benefits, NOT weaken the program like Republicans want by raising the retirement age and reducing benefits.

The GOP may try to hide what they’re doing, but we know what they’re up to. Democrats must block a fiscal commission!

Add your name: No Social Security cuts! No Medicare cuts! Congress must block the creation of a fiscal commission.

Sources:

1. CNN, “Here’s why Social Security and Medicare advocates fear Mike Johnson’s speakership,” November 6, 2023.
2. Common Dreams, “House GOP Panel Releases Budget That Would 'Destroy Social Security as We Know It,'” June 15, 2023.