Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is outraged by House Republicans’ move to block a routine Social Security budgeting move to use as a bargaining chip in future entitlement reform negotiations.
On social media platforms Warren, in very clear terms, said the attempt by House Republicans to block the Social Security budgeting move that involves transferring revenues between the Social Security retirement trust fund and the Social Security disability program was flat out “ridiculous.”
“It’s ridiculous – but not surprising – that on the very first day of the new Congress, Republicans are manufacturing a Social Security crisis to threaten benefits for millions of disabled Americans – including 233,260 in Massachusetts alone,” Warren said on Facebook. “We can’t turn our backs on the promises we’ve made to our families, friends, and neighbors who need our help the most. House Republicans should stop playing political games to put America’s most vulnerable at risk.”
She struck a similar tone on Twitter.
The GOP is inventing a Social Security crisis that will threaten benefits for millions & put our most vulnerable at risk.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 6, 2015
This is ridiculous. 233k people in MA receive Social Security disability benefits that could be threatened by these political games.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 6, 2015
As TPM reported on Tuesday, one of the first moves of Republicans in the 114th Congress was to make a little-noticed rule change adding restrictions on the regular tax revenue transfer between the Social Security retirement trust fund and the Social Security disability program. Those transfers have historically been routine. Experts warned TPM that the move could spark a rare crisis which conservatives would likely try and use as a bargaining chip.
Great that she’s out in front on this.
And she is correct: this is part of a pattern for the GOP: create a crisis so that your proposal seems the only viable solution.
Just like with Medicare: the Medicare Part D program and the Medicare Advantage privatization – both Republican-led proposals – are major drains on the Medicare program.
In contrast, the ACA has actually extended the life of Medicare, something the Republicans refuse to acknowledge.
Unfortunately and just in case anyone asks (which they won’t), today’s terrorism in France gifts old media with another perfect excuse to ignore Senator Warren…
How is that Congress has passed a law that does not need to be signed by the President?
Hopefully she will keep up the battle long enough to get the attention of the lazy “both parties are to blame” media.
Agreed with you completely on that. The people who need this message brought home to them with a vengence are the ones who just voted these Repub sh*theads into office 3 months ago! Unfortunately, I don’t have much hope that they’ll get it. I think that Sniffit put it best last night. He was on the money as to the mindset of those who just voted in favor of their own doom.