Commentary: Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) made the following statements after House Republicans introduced legislation that would slash Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age.
“President-elect Trump campaigned on protecting Social Security benefits from cuts – now is his chance to prove to the American people that he was telling the truth,” Rep. Ellison said. “It’s our job to protect working Americans and the retirement they have earned--this Republican led bill to cut benefits and raise the retirement age would do the opposite. Republicans have been trying to dismantle Social Security ever since President Roosevelt proposed it during the Great Depression. If the President-elect is truly committed to helping working people, he must reject this bill.”
“Donald Trump may have campaigned on protecting Social Security and Medicare, but his fellow Republicans clearly don’t care,” Rep. Grijalva said. “Undermining these earned benefits, and placing their costs squarely on the backs of the working class have been GOP policy objectives for years. The newest Republican proposal is perhaps the most direct attack we have seen on the promise of Social Security. Congressional Republicans are sending a clear message that they don’t care about seniors or the working class – the people that slashing benefits and raising the retirement age harms the most. The president-elect asked America to vote for him based on the fact that he would protect Social Security. His promise is about to be tested by his own Republican Party.”
“Once again, House Republicans have shown their determination to gut Social Security for future generations and weaken the retirement security for millions of seniors,” said Rep. Pocan. “In 2005, Americans roundly rejected Republican attempts to privatization of Social Security. Now we must stop House Republicans from slashing benefits and destroying the fundamental promise of paying into a system that will be there for you when you retire. President-elect Trump has shown a propensity for flip-flopping his position on any issue at the drop of a hat. While he made general statements about not cutting Social Security on the campaign trail, we cannot and should not trust these promises. The retirement security for seniors and future generations depends on our united, vocal opposition to this plan.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.