House Democrat Caucus Leaders Say Republican Plans Include Changing Social Security

Jan. 31 marked the 83rd anniversary of the first Social Security check being issued. Stock photo of social security cards. Lane V. Erickson/Shutterstock

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu used the opportunity of their weekly press conference on Jan. 31 to paint and position Republicans as “extreme” in their budget solutions and proposals.

Both men, representatives from California, suggested that the GOP is looking to imperil the well-being of older Americans by making “dangerous” cuts to federal social safety net programs.

Aguilar opened the press conference by noting, “Today is the 83rd anniversary of the first Social Security check being issued.

Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.) Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, speaks during a press conference with incoming House Democratic Leadership at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 13, 2022. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

“On Jan. 31, 1940, Ida M. Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, was issued a $22.54 check. For eight decades America has kept its promise to seniors who earn every dollar that they receive.”

Indeed, on its Twitter feed today, the Democratic Caucus featured a photo of Fuller and her historic check.

Aguilar added that Democrats always protect Social Security to ensure that the “program is available to older Americans” and that “seven in 10 Americans share this concern and are looking to House Democrats.”

As the United States approaches a reckoning with its ability to meet its financial obligations and faces defaulting on its debt for the first time, the GOP is looking for a budget solution that may include agreeing to raise the federal debt ceiling—it currently stands at $31.4 trillion—if combined with spending cuts.

President Joe Biden says he will not negotiate with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over Republican proposals on the debt ceiling.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) at a news conference in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

McCarthy is in a tight spot with the fiscally conservative faction of his House colleagues, the Freedom Caucus. This group wrung budget concessions out of him in exchange for their votes to make him Speaker.

They will only support his effort to raise the debt ceiling if serious spending reduction is on the table.

And, yet, cutting seniors’ insurance programs of Social Security and Medicare is not part of the GOP budget proposal, says McCarthy.

Also not in GOP budget plans, McCarthy insists, is raising the age to 70 when an American can start collecting Social Security benefits.

‘Extreme’ And ‘Dangerous’

There are, though, Republican outliers on social safety net insurance program matters.

At the press conference, Lieu suggested that making changes to Social Security is in the GOP plans, but they are being cagey about it.

He pointed to a comment that House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) recently made in a media interview.

“We do ask Republicans to show us their plan,” said Lieu. “The reason that they are unwilling to—is because it’s going to show massive cuts to Social Security.

“At the same time, we also know that Republican ideas are extreme and dangerous. How do we know that? They said it out loud.”

He said a CNBC interviewer asked Arrington—“The question I'd like to ask you is whether you think this debt ceiling is going to be used as a bargaining chip in a way that could turn dangerous?”

“Rep. Arington’s response was, ‘I believe it will and believe it has to.’”