There can be no doubt that Social Security and Medicare will remain the target of powerful so-called “fiscal hawks” in Congress and the Trump Administration who want nothing more than to slash these hugely popular and effective programs.

That’s why the National Committee is urging you to sign our Petition to the 119th Congress to Protect and Strengthen Social Security and Medicare today! By signing our petition, you’ll be making sure your elected representatives hear from the true stakeholders in these critical programs.

In the many years I’ve spent with the National Committee battling to protect seniors’ retirement and health security, I cannot remember a more challenging time for your earned benefits. A radical agenda to cut the benefits, programs and essential services relied upon by aging Americans and their families continues to move forward.

Yet, at a time when many of the nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries are counting on their earned benefits just to stay out of poverty, these programs need to be protected and strengthened — not weakened and cut.

It’s time for Congress to get its priorities straight!