As I wrote to you about last week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has claimed, “The Republican Party will not cut benefits,” while saying in the same breath, “We have to look at all spending. …”

Of course, we’ve heard these promises before. And all too often, some lawmakers who pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare turn around and support legislation that would slash these programs.  

That’s why I recently asked this question of our readers: Despite the political rhetoric, do you believe the 119th Congress will try to slash Social Security and Medicare to pay for other “fiscal priorities,” including extending massive tax cuts for the wealthy and huge corporations?

Overall, 79% of respondents answered a resounding “YES,” with 16% “NOT SURE.” It’s clear our supporters are concerned that promises to protect earned benefits may not hold true in the new Congress, especially as powerful forces put pressure on lawmakers to reduce the federal debt and extend massive tax breaks for the wealthy and huge corporations by slashing seniors’ programs.

Here's why senior Americans are so cynical:

• In President Trump’s first term, he said he wouldn’t touch Social Security and Medicare but then included cuts to these programs in every single budget proposal he submitted to Congress.
  
  

• Despite his claim that Social Security and Medicare are off-limits, President Trump has tasked billionaire Elon Musk to co-lead the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second term in office. According to Musk, nothing is off the table during his review. He’s going to look at all government expenditures, “one item at a time, no exceptions, no special cases.”
  
  

• Speaker Johnson, who is now saying benefits will be protected, has led the charge for the creation of a “fiscal commission” that could easily lead to benefit cuts. And the Republican Study Committee — which is comprised of most Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Speaker Johnson — has released budget plans which included cuts and radical “reforms” to Social Security and Medicare.
  

Actions speak louder than words. And so, we must remain vigilant against any attempt to slash your earned benefits!

Please make a gift in any amount you can afford today to support the National Committee’s urgent fight to keep Social Security and Medicare off the chopping block in Washington.

Thank you again for your loyal partnership.

Dan Adcock

Director of Government Relations & Policy