June 05, 2023
Speaker McCarthy’s Commission will seek ways to cut government spending, including Social Security and Medicare, as Congress passes a bill to raise the debt ceiling
Speaking on Fox News, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Announced he plans to convene a bipartisan commission to discuss possible cuts to Social Security, Medicare and all federal government spending.
McCarthy spoke for hours before the US House of Representatives. approved HR 3746 by a bipartisan vote of 314-117 to increase the nation’s debt limit through 2024. The Senate passed the bill for 63-36 vote Thursday.
The announcement of the new commission came as many hardliners in the House Freedom Caucus revolted over the debt limit agreement McCarthy reached with President Biden. The committee would be formed despite vehement Republican assertions earlier this year that cuts to Social Security and Medicare were off the table.
The debt ceiling agreement did not include cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other programs on which millions of seniors depend. Spending to help veterans was increased. However, Americans ages 50 to 54 who do not have dependents will now be ineligible for the SNAP (food stamp) benefits they depend on if they cannot meet the new work requirements.
“The agreement reached by President Biden means that Social Security checks will arrive on time and Medicare will not be affected,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance. “However, we cannot lower our guard. Speaker McCarthy has made it clear that changing and cutting our hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits remains a priority for his party.”