With more than 2 million petition signatures in hand, Social Security advocates joined members of Congress at the White House today to protest President Obama’s plan to cut benefits for seniors, retired veterans and people with disabilities.  National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare President/CEO, Max Richtman, told the crowd middle-class and poor families should not bear the burden of reducing the deficit:

“Contrary to the political spin, America’s seniors know this chained CPI proposal isn’t a ‘tweak’ or an  ‘adjustment.’  It’s not more accurate for seniors but it is designed to cut benefits and raise taxes, largely on the poor and middle class. Any politician in Washington who thinks they can slip these benefit cuts by millions of seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and their families unnoticed is in for the shock of their careers.”… Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO

 

National Committee volunteer Antoinette Bobo, a 74 year old retiree from Washington, D.C., also spoke out against the proposed cut at today’s event:

“President Obama needs to rethink his Chained CPI proposal because most seniors have no other way to survive except for Social Security and Medicare. And it’s not just about us, it’s about our children and grandchildren who are going to need the same protections that we have. We earned these benefits and we’re counting on them for the future.”

A group of Democratic members of Congress committed to protecting Social Security, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), told today’s White House protestors that President Obama is simply wrong to propose cutting already modest benefits to seniors, retired veterans and people with disabilities.

“We are not going to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly, disabled vets, the sick, women or children. When one out of four major profitable corporations pay nothing in federal income taxes we know how we can deal with deficit reduction in a way that is fair. The White House tells us they want to defend the middle class. Well if you really want to defend the middle class you don’t cut Social Security, and you don’t cut Medicare and you don’t cut benefits.”…  Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Participants in today’s event included: The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, AFL-CIO,  National Organization for Women, Campaign for America’s Future, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, MoveOn and former Obama for America supporters and seniors who rely on Social Security.

Today’s White House protest marks the beginning of a mobilization of Americans nationwide. Tomorrow, Americans will follow up today’s petition delivery with a Congressional Call-In day telling members to oppose the chained CPI. Citizens will call the National Committee’s toll-free legislative hotline to connect to their representatives on Capitol Hill in one easy call.  That number is:  (800) 998-0180.

 

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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

 

Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org