Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Celerity

(42,673 posts)
Fri Jul 24, 2020, 05:52 PM Jul 2020

Coronavirus relief package could lead to Social Security and Medicare cuts

'Donald Trump and his stooges in the Senate can't stop trying to rob us of our Social Security,' Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, said.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/coronavirus-relief-package-trump-covid-mitt-romney-trust-act-social-security-a9637266.html

The Republican coronavirus relief package will include legislation from Senator Mitt Romney that could result in cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed Thursday that the upcoming relief package would include the legislation.

Mr McConnell told the Senate that Mr Romney's TRUST Act is "a bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Senate Democrats, to help a future Congress evaluate bipartisan proposals for protecting and strengthening the programmes that Americans count on." Though the TRUST Act is being touted as a means to protect the New Deal-era social safety programmes, critics say it would allow for cuts to the program to be pushed through Congress with minimal opposition.

"This would allow benefit cuts to be fast-tracked through Congress," Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, told Common Dreams. "Seniors and people with disabilities need their benefits boosted, not slashed. Like payroll tax cuts, the TRUST Act is bad medicine for everyday Americans struggling to stay financially afloat, especially during the Covid crisis."

The TRUST Act has 13 co-sponsors in the Senate, including four members of the Democratic caucus. The Democratic co-sponsors are Senators Joe Manchin, Doug Jones, Krysten Sinema and Mark Warner (see edit).

snip

On Edit,

the article listed Rounds as a Democrat, the other Democratic Co-Sponsor is Mark Warner, plus Independent Angus King.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2733/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded


5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Coronavirus relief package could lead to Social Security and Medicare cuts (Original Post) Celerity Jul 2020 OP
It will never get past the house...period! Thekaspervote Jul 2020 #1
Just NO. Zoonart Jul 2020 #2
Why are any democrats co sponsoring this? aidbo Jul 2020 #3
Manchin and Sinema also co-introduced it back in October, along with Romney and Young Celerity Jul 2020 #4
It was more of a rhetorical question. But thank you for the answer. aidbo Jul 2020 #5

Celerity

(42,673 posts)
4. Manchin and Sinema also co-introduced it back in October, along with Romney and Young
Fri Jul 24, 2020, 06:26 PM
Jul 2020
https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-leads-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-protect-taxpayers-trust-funds

Tuesday, October 29, 2019
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Todd Young (R-IN), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) today introduced the Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts (TRUST) Act, which would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds.

“I have always said that our national budget should reflect our values and priorities, but be fiscally responsible,” Senator Manchin said. “Unfortunately our fiscal irresponsibility has left critical programs like Social Security and Medicare heading towards insolvency. Congress cannot let these programs fail. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan bill to proactively help to secure sustainable funding for programs like these before it’s too late.”




As for why, I assume it is because the five are all amongst the most fiscally conservative of all the Democratic Senatorial Caucus. I do not really have a good answer for you, sorry.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Coronavirus relief packag...