House, Senate liberals introduce resolutions to protect Social Security

[EFerrari]

Joan McCarter for Daily Kos
Tue Jul 12, 2011 at 02:45 PM PDT

Progressive lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have introduced resolutions to oppose cutting Social Security benefits, now that it has been brought to the debt ceiling negotiating table. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced H.Con.Res. 64, "Expressing the sense of Congress that Social Security benefits should not be reduced," along with 21 additional cosponsors. The meat of it:

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That it is the sense of Congress that appropriate reform to strengthen Social Security's long-term outlook should happen in a bipartisan fashion and should ensure that Social Security remains a critical source of protection for the people of the United States and their families without further increasing the retirement age or otherwise decreasing benefits.

In the Senate, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced their version of the legislation, but adds in Medicare: "Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should not include cuts to Social Security benefits or Medicare benefits."

“While we should always be open to improving these vital programs, we must not cut the benefits our seniors and disabled Americans have earned and rely upon,” said Whitehouse. “And so I hope that my colleagues will join me on this resolution to protect the promise we have made to our Nation’s seniors through Social Security and Medicare.”

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[JoePhilly]

1. "While we should always be open to improving these vital programs"

If Obama said that, much of DU would use it to claim that it means "cuts".

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. The only reason this resolution exists is because OBAMA put SS on the table yesterday.

Sheesh. Not only was that issue the perfect club to bash the repukes over the head with in 2012, the man took that fight away from the Democrats in 2012 and handed it to the repukes. "Look what Obama wanted to do to SS...raise the retirement age to 67! And he was willing to let Grandma and Grandpa go without food and medication." I mean, come on. How stupid can you (he) be? Now the Democrats will have to be on the defense against repukes on a program the repukes wanted to destroy in the first place. Good G-d help us all.

[JoePhilly]

10. Can you provide a direct quote from Obama on raising the age?

Or do you call others "stupid" using specific details that you pulled appear to have pulled from your ass, on a regular basis?

[EFerrari]

2. Kick

[EFerrari]

3. Btw, Senator Whitehouse will be on The Ed Show tonight at 10PM. n/t

[tekisui]

5. Thankful for the liberal backstop.

[EFerrari]

6. No kidding. Liberal Democrats must feel like Dodos any more.

:grouphug:

[gratuitous]

7. Get it to a floor vote

I wanna see who's going to vote to cut benefits.

Naturally, they won't touch current benefits. Not even the Republicans are that stupid. But setting it up so that 10 years from now, when they're all safely retired on their full pensions? I fully believe these rat bastards would leave such a time bomb ticking away to dick over citizens rather than ask their fatcat benefactors to get out of the wagon and help pull for a while.

[Wilms]

8. Let's hear it for the Eisenhower Democrats! n/t

:applause:

[EFerrari]

9. LOL!

Okay. :applause:

[fascisthunter]

11. Thank you