America Does Not Need An Undemocratic "Deficit Commission"

December 2, 2009

This statement was delivered to:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
all members of the Senate and House,
and President Barack Obama (and key Administration officials)

We write in strong opposition to proposals to create an entitlements or deficit-reduction commission that would override the normal legislative process and replace it with expedited procedures prohibiting amendments and limiting debate.

Those supporting this circumvention of the normal process have stated openly the desire to avoid political accountability.  Americans -- seniors, women, working families, people with disabilities, young adults, children, people of color, veterans, communities of faith and others -- expect their elected representatives to be responsible and accountable for shaping such significant, far-reaching legislation.

Any deficit reduction measures should be carried out in a responsible manner, providing a fairer tax system and strengthening -- rather than slashing -- Social Security, Medicare and other programs that are vital to the middle class. And as unemployment continues to grow, we need a real debate about how to balance the need for economic recovery and productive public investment with the goal of long-term budget responsibility. The American people are likely to view any kind of expedited procedure, where most members are sidelined to a single take-it-or-leave-it vote, as a hidden process aimed at eviscerating vital programs and productive investment.

As you know, the current effort to reform the health care sector seeks to achieve reductions in Medicare spending - without cutting benefits.  But the proposed budget commission - which will be viewed as a way to actually cut Medicare benefits, while insulating lawmakers from political fallout - could confuse people and undermine the reform effort. And an American public that only recently rejected privatization of Social Security will undoubtedly be suspicious of a process that shuts them out of all decisions regarding the future of a retirement system that's served them well in the current financial crisis.

We urge you to act decisively to prevent the creation of such an extraordinary and undemocratic budget commission.

Groups who have already agreed to sign:

AFL-CIO - American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations

AFSCME - American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Alliance for Retired Americans

American Association of University Women

Americans for Democratic Action

Change to Win

Campaign for America 's Future

Demos

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

Frances Perkins Center

Global Policy Solutions

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

Mothers Initiative

MoveOn.org Political Action

NAACP

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

National Association for Hispanic Elderly

National Association of Mother Centers

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

National Council of Women's Organizations

National Organization for Women

National Hispanic Council on Aging

National Senior Citizens Law Center

National Women's Law Center

OWL - The Voice of Midlife and Older Women

OpenLeft.com

Pathways PA

Pension Rights Center

People for the American Way

Progressive Democrats of America

Project to Defend and Improve Social Security
SEIU - Service Employees International Union

United Methodist General Board of Church & Society

Wider Opportunities for Women

Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement

The Women's Research and Education Institute