November 4, 2011
 

NEWS RELEASE

Congress Should Reject Benefit Cuts Whether or Not GOP Agrees to New Revenue

Anger at Potential Cuts Boiling Over Outside Beltway

Responding to press reports that the Congressional “Super Committee” is considering benefit cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Max Richtman, President/CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) called on Congress today to reject cutting benefits to middle-class and poor Americans regardless of whether the GOP agrees to new government revenue. The “Super Committee” is scheduled to report its proposal to cut the deficit by November 23.

“The people who talk about ‘shared sacrifice’ pretend that all Americans sit down at the deficit debate table on an equal footing. The fact is the incomes of middle-class workers have stagnated for three decades, and those of the wealthiest one percent have increased by over 275%. The Super Committee should reject harmful benefit cuts touching the lives of virtually every American family whether or not Republicans agree to increase government revenue. 

In Washington, ‘shared sacrifice’ and ‘balanced approach’ have become code  for expecting everyday Americans to compound their sacrifice in the hopes that our nation’s corporations and wealthy might also be asked to give up a tax break here or there.  The middle-class and poor in our nation have sacrificed enough.

Outside of the Beltway, the debate is over. Over 70% of the American people reject the idea that cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid should be part of a deficit reduction package and these citizens have said they’ll hold Congress accountable.  It’s time for them to listen to their constituents.” Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO

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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org