The Republicans have never liked Social Security or Medicare. They voted against both programs when they were proposed, and have been trying to get rid of them ever since. They realize how popular the programs are with the American people, so now they want to chip away at the programs with cuts until they no longer work -- and then get rid of them.They think they have an opening now with the debt ceiling needing to be reapproved. They are threatening to refuse to raise the debt ceiling unless cuts are made to Social Security and Medicare, even though such a move would be disastrous for the economy. They think President Biden will surrender to them rather than let the economic disaster happen.
They are wrong! President Biden made it clear in his State of the Union speech that he would not yield. He would veto any cuts to Social Security or Medicare.
Here is what President Biden said about it in his speech:
Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what their plans are.
Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.
That means if Congress doesn’t vote to keep them, those programs will go away.
Other Republicans say if we don’t cut Social Security and Medicare, they’ll let America default on its debt for the first time in our history.
I won’t let that happen.
Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors.
Americans have been paying into them with every single paycheck since they started working.
So tonight, let’s all agree to stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare.
Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned them.
If anyone tries to cut Social Security, I will stop them. And if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I will stop them.
I will not allow them to be taken away.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
