Dear John,

On January 3rd, newly elected and re-elected lawmakers will get sworn into office and the 117th Congress (2021-2022) will convene.

There can be no doubt that the next Congress will be making historic spending decisions under growing pressure to bring down deficits, caused in part by the unpaid-for Trump-GOP tax cuts for the wealthy and coronavirus economic relief. At the same time, special interests and political forces will be lobbying hard for federal dollars to fund their priorities.

And while we have a significant number of allies in Congress, Social Security and Medicare will remain the target of powerful so-called “fiscal hawks” who want nothing more than to slash these hugely popular and effective programs.

In the many years I’ve spent with the National Committee battling to protect these essential programs, I cannot remember a more challenging — and opportune — time for earned benefit programs. There can be no doubt that an agenda to slash earned benefits and cut the essential Social Security and Medicare services relied upon by aging Americans and their families continues to move forward. Yet, at the same time, we now have a strong coalition of Social Security and Medicare proponents in Congress who understand that these programs need to be protected and strengthened — especially for the growing share of workers who will depend on their earned benefits for most of their income security in retirement.

It’s time for Congress to get its priorities straight! Please sign our Petition to the New Congress to ensure your voice is heard in Washington on the critical nature of Social Security and Medicare.

Thank you in advance for participating in this critical end-of-year petition campaign. Your support is the backbone of our organization and I’m so grateful for everything you do to support our fight to protect and strengthen earned benefits.