Would a Government Shutdown Affect Social Security and Medicare?

First, the good news. Even if the government shuts down at the end of this week because of House Republican intransigence, Social Security benefits will continue to be paid and customer service for retirees should not get significantly worse. Now, the bad news. The impending shutdown is symptomatic of a disorder in Congress that seniors should care about:  MAGA hardliners once again gumming up the works of a government which best serves the public when operating smoothly, without needless disruptions.
2023-09-26T11:53:16-04:00September 25th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Disability, GOP, Medicare, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA)|

Biden-McCarthy Debt Ceiling Deal Averts Disruption of Social Security, Medicare

Amid all the static about the debt ceiling deal that President Biden and Speaker McCarthy struck over the weekend, this much is certain: the deal is better for American seniors than a federal default. “The agreement represents a compromise, which means no one got everything they wanted,” said President Biden on Monday. “But that's the responsibility of governing.”
2023-06-01T09:28:42-04:00May 30th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Debt Ceiling, Democrats, GOP, President Biden|

Democrats Push for Strengthening Social Security in First Hearing of New Congress

The first hearing on Social Security of the new Congress saw Republicans claiming that they simply want information about the program’s status, while Democrats insisted that it’s time to boost Social Security --- and pushed back on GOP proposals to cut benefits.“ Today, we are faced with the fierce urgency of now. Five million Americans receive below-poverty level (Social Security) checks from their government because Congress has not enhanced benefits in more than 50 years,” said ranking member Rep. John Larson (D-CT).
2023-04-28T11:01:22-04:00April 27th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Payroll Tax Cap, Rep. John Larson, Republicans, Social Security|

Ohio Forum Focuses on Cutting Vs. Expanding Social Security

National Committee president and CEO Max Richtman brought the organization’s message of expanding and strengthening Social Security to Ohio today.  He participated in a forum in Sandusky, OH, co-sponsored by the local nonprofit, Serving Our Seniors. The forum, entitled, The Future of Social Security Retirement Income and Medicare Part A forum, was attended by more than two hundred citizens, mostly seniors who are already collecting Social Security.
2023-04-12T16:11:28-04:00April 12th, 2023|Categories: Bernie Sanders, Boost Social Security, Democrats, GOP, Rep. John Larson, Social Security|

Senators’ “Bipartisan” Social Security Plan Would Slash Benefits

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has sent an urgent letter to Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Angus King (I-ME) expressing deep concern over a Social Security proposal reportedly taking shape under their names. The Cassidy-King plan would put Social Security on a slippery slope toward privatization — and ultimately cut benefits for future beneficiaries.

GOP Takeover, Debt Ceiling Revive Some Really Bad Ideas

Republican proposals to cut taxes for the wealthy and undermine Social Security and Medicare have come back like a bad dream with the GOP takeover of the House and the debt ceiling standoff. We spoke to our senior legislative representative, Maria Freese, about what these proposals would really do --- and who they benefit. Hint: the answer is NOT working people and retirees.
2023-02-08T17:17:45-04:00January 27th, 2023|Categories: COLAs, Democrats, GOP, healthcare, Kevin McCarthy, Medicare, Republicans, Retirement, Senate, Social Security|
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