Dear John,

It’s like a standoff from a bad hostage movie. Except worse, as it’s our frightening reality.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has made it clear that the GOP’s intention is to wreck the U.S. and world economies by blocking legislation to raise the debt ceiling unless cuts are made to Social Security and Medicare.

Second ranking GOP Senator John Thune has made it clear that Senate Republicans plan to join in on the shakedown.

The only way to defeat their plan and to protect hard-working American people’s investments in these popular programs is for Democrats -- and some Republicans -- to stand together and refuse to buckle to MAGA Republican demands.

We’re calling for Senators and Representatives from both parties to commit to no cuts to Social Security or Medicare. Demand your members of Congress take the pledge now.

The overwhelming majority of Americans actually want to expand Social Security by lowering the retirement age and increasing benefits. Poll after poll continues to show this. And even higher margins are against cuts -- any cuts -- to Social Security, not just for people receiving benefits today, but for generations to come.

As polarized as we are over many issues, we are united in our support for Social Security and our strong opposition to all cuts. Despite these cuts being pushed by MAGA Republicans, even Donald Trump has said repeatedly that cutting Social Security and Medicare is a loser for Republicans.

But it’s not enough to refuse to cut Social Security. They also must refuse to allow the Trojan Horse of a “commission” designed to “study” the issue, that will recommend cuts down the line like they did a decade ago. Hiding behind a “bipartisan” commission, Congress could fast track cuts behind closed doors.

Standing firm with the overwhelming majority of Americans on this issue should not be hard, but Congress won’t do it if we don’t demand it. Please pressure your members of Congress by signing on now.

As you encourage your members of Congress to sign on, our partners at Social Security Works will be following up with in-person meetings and reporting back to the media on who in Congress has signed on in real time.

You can view their list of who has signed, who is on the fence, and who is refusing to support us at DontCutSocialSecurity.com. You can sign on while you’re there, too.

Thank you for doing your part to protect Social Security and Medicare for generations to come.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action