House Dems draw the line at benefit cuts

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/170261-house-dems-draw-line-at-benefit-cuts

House Democrats are lining up in opposition to any debt-ceiling package that cuts benefits to Medicare or Social Security.

Republican leaders have argued that cuts to the popular entitlement programs are necessary to reduce deficit spending and bring the nation's finances into balance. But a long list of House Democratic leaders and rank-and-file members said in separate appearances Thursday that cuts in Social Security or Medicare benefits are a non-starter.

"I … want to have clarity about where House Democrats stand," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said during a press conference at the Capitol. "We do not support cuts in benefits to Social Security and Medicare.

(snip)
"Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are off of the table," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a member of the House Progressive Caucus, said Thursday. "If the Republican leadership can find votes in their own caucus to pass such a deal, let them do it."

[DesertFlower]

1. i thank them. nt

[newfie11]

2. GOOD n/t

[elleng]

3. Good that this is in the open, imo;

gives PrezO firm, actual, immediate backing for position against 'cuts' vis a vis repugs/tax b.s.

[theophilus]

4. Their bravery will be spoken of in ages to come. n/t

[monmouth]

5. They want to be re-elected...n/t

[DesertFlower]

6. so does obama. that's why i'm

shocked that he said social security and medicare are on the table.

[Melissa G]

7. Hold the Line House Dems! We need you!

It's sad that House Dems have to hold the fort against our own allegedly Democratic president.

Obama is leading in the wrong direction when it comes to war, Wall Street, social security, medicare and way too much more. We should not have to worry about any of these areas having one house of Congress and the White House. :grr: