Pocan, Doggett, Frost Introduce the Protect Social Security and Medicare Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), and Maxwell Frost (FL-10), introduced the Protect Social Security and Medicare Act. Given that President Trump is laying the groundwork to gut Social Security and Medicare, this bill aims to prevent House Republicans from cutting these programs by raising the vote threshold to two-thirds in both the House and Senate for any legislation that would reduce benefits under either program.

“This week, Trump spewed misinformation about Social Security so he can ultimately justify cutting benefits. We should not fall for it. Social Security and Medicare are overwhelmingly popular for good reason – they provide critically important benefits to seniors and other vulnerable Americans. We all pay into these programs and are counting on them for essential healthcare and a dignified retirement,” said Congressman Pocan. “This bill will ensure that these benefits are protected from changes that lack widespread support of the American people.”

“Rejecting Musk’s outrageous claim that Social Security is a ‘Ponzi Scheme,’ this legislation would stop many Republicans from fulfilling their goal, as expressed by Senator Mike Lee, to ‘phase out Social Security, to pull it up by the roots and get rid of it,’ said Congressman Doggett. “The many false claims from Trump and Musk are to plant seeds of doubt in Americans’ minds as Republicans seek to enact trillions of dollars in tax breaks for billionaires, endangering Social Security’s and Medicare’s promise that every American worker can retire with dignity and security.”

“For millions of seniors and working people across Florida, Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline that means the difference between having the financial support and healthcare you need to live, or going without,” said Rep. Frost. “After decades of bipartisan support for these critical programs, Republicans want to put them on the chopping block to pay for their tax cuts to the rich – but we won’t let them. I refuse to turn my back on the seniors, disabled Floridians, and working families who depend on these programs and will fight to ensure cuts to Medicare and Social Security never see the light of day.”

According to a recent poll by Navigator Research, 79% of Americans view Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid favorably and 81% of Americans oppose cuts to Medicare or Medicaid to pay for the Republican tax plan. A USA Today Opinion piece recently said “Social Security is one of the country’s most popular and successful federal programs, and its pay-as-you-go arrangement is not a deceptive scam – it’s how the system was built to work.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.