Pelosi: Medicare, Social Security Benefit Cuts Will Threaten Vote On Debt Limit Bill - TPMDC

[WillyT]

Pelosi: Medicare, Social Security Benefit Cuts Will Threaten Vote On Debt Limit Bill
Brian Beutler | TPMDC
July 7, 2011, 4:10PM

<snip>

After a contentious White House meeting with President Obama and other Congressional leaders, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) returned to the Capitol and drew an important red line: Members of her caucus won't vote for a grand bargain to raise the debt limit and reduce future deficits if the final deal includes cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits -- and that means it probably won't pass.

"You <asked>, 'could the changes compromise the vote?'" Pelosi said at a Thursday afternoon briefing near the House chamber. "I said yes."

It's widely believed that House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will need Democratic votes to raise the debt limit. Democratic leaders, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) have offered to help him out -- but not on Boehner's terms alone. Pelosi has her own terms.

"We have been very clear Democrats are not supporting -- House Democrats are not supporting any cuts in benefits for Social Security or Medicare," she said. Other top Democrats have drawn the same line in the sand, both today and in the recent past. But none with Pelosi's clout and leverage.

Pelosi argued at her press conference that any savings wrung from Social Security and Medicare should be rerouted into strengthening those programs, not toward reducing deficits. "Any discussion of Medicare or Social Security should be on its own table," Pelosi warned. "Do not consider Social Security a piggy bank for giving tax cuts to the wealthiest people in our country."

At the meeting, Pelosi spoke for her angry caucus. She and other Dems were caught off guard by the fact that Obama has essentially locked Congress on a course to make deep spending cuts in popular programs, on GOP-friendly terms, without consulting his own party. She thus sought to set the terms of the negotiations to make them friendlier to progressive interests.

<snip>

Link: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/pelosi-medicare-and-social-security-cuts-will-compromise-vote-on-debt-limit-bill.php

[gateley]

1. Thank you! I've been parked in front of the TV because they

said she was going to make a statement, but that was hours ago!

I sure miss her. Sigh.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. There is my answer. Thank you, Nancy.

It's reassuring to know that I am still a Democrat.

[sixmile]

3. Political theater

There wil be votes.

[Blecht]

4. Took the words out of my mouth

Political theater of the absurd.

[sixmile]

5. Why do Democrats think a group of millionaires care about them at all?

They (Congress) do not. They care about themselves with few exceptions.

[gateley]

11. Pelosi's a millionaire, and I really do think she cares. Grayson

was a millionaire... :shrug:

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. Amen

Pelosi knows her role in this charade just like Joe Lieberman knew his role in the healthcare debate.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. Amen

Pelosi knows her role in this charade just like Joe Lieberman knew his role in the healthcare debate.

[Vinnie From Indy]

8. Amen

Pelosi knows her role in this charade just like Joe Lieberman knew his role in the healthcare debate.

[gateley]

10. Are you exceptionally pious, or did you just feel extra extra

strongly about your statement? :7

[damntexdem]

9. Good for Nancy on that one.

But the effective action would have to come from the Senate on that one. I want to hear from frail Reed.