Oct. 14, 2015

CNN is reporting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning on holding Social Security and Medicare hostage in upcoming debt ceiling debates. We’ve heard these threats before—but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous.

In just a few weeks – on November 5 – the Federal Government will run out of money to pay its debts unless Congress raises the debt limit. And Majority Leader McConnell is pledging to not raise the debt limit unless the president and members of Congress agree to deep cuts to our earned benefits.

 

This hostage-taking comes just as the Social Security Administration is expected to announce tomorrow that there will be no cost of living adjustment (or COLA) in 2016. That’s right—The Social Security COLA will be zero, and the Senate Majority Leader thinks that’s STILL too high.

 

Tell Mitch McConnell that Social Security is not a hostage or bargaining chip. It is a beloved program, which supports millions of retirees, children, surviving spouses, and people with disabilities. At a time when there will be no COLA in 2016, we must be expanding, not cutting Social Security!

 

With the looming debt ceiling debate as well as budget negotiations to keep the government running, we must make sure that Congress is listening to the American people. They must know that 79% of likely voters – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – want to see Social Security benefits expanded, not cut.

 

They must know that more than half of households 55 and older have zero retirement savings and that two-thirds of retirees depend on Social Security for the majority of their income.

 

Patrick,

 

CNN is reporting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning on holding Social Security and Medicare hostage in upcoming debt ceiling debates. We’ve heard these threats before—but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous.

 

In just a few weeks – on November 5 – the Federal Government will run out of money to pay its debts unless Congress raises the debt limit. And Majority Leader McConnell is pledging to not raise the debt limit unless the president and members of Congress agree to deep cuts to our earned benefits.

 

This hostage-taking comes just as the Social Security Administration is expected to announce tomorrow that there will be no cost of living adjustment (or COLA) in 2016. That’s right—The Social Security COLA will be zero, and the Senate Majority Leader thinks that’s STILL too high.

 

Tell Mitch McConnell that Social Security is not a hostage or bargaining chip. It is a beloved program, which supports millions of retirees, children, surviving spouses, and people with disabilities. At a time when there will be no COLA in 2016, we must be expanding, not cutting Social Security!

 

With the looming debt ceiling debate as well as budget negotiations to keep the government running, we must make sure that Congress is listening to the American people. They must know that 79% of likely voters – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – want to see Social Security benefits expanded, not cut.

 

They must know that more than half of households 55 and older have zero retirement savings and that two-thirds of retirees depend on Social Security for the majority of their income.

 

Please, stand with Social Security Works today and tell Mitch McConnell that Social Security is not a hostage or bargaining chip. We must expand, not cut Social Security!

 

Thank you for your support,

 

Michael Phelan

Social Security Works

 

P.S. Tomorrow at 3:00 pm ET, Social Security Works’ Nancy Altman will join Social Security and Medicare experts on a live online session to discuss the 2016 COLA and Medicare Part B premium and deductible increases. This will be a great opportunity to learn what we can expect from our earned benefits in 2016. Click here to RSVP to tomorrow’s Google Hangout and receive a reminder email when it starts.

 

michael.phelan@socialsecurityworks.org