Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) issued the following statement in response to reports of a White House budget proposal that could include reductions in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits, including the use of chained CPI:

“I am quite concerned by reports that the forthcoming White House budget proposal might include chained CPI and other accommodations to Republicans determined to dismantle our social safety net and the progress our nation has made since the New Deal.  I must reiterate that I will never support any reductions in Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits – and chained CPI is a direct reduction in Social Security benefits.  Along with my fellow progressives, I will vehemently oppose any such cuts.

“We cannot lose sight of the facts.  Social Security is one of the bedrocks of our middle class society and is an essential safety net for millions of American seniors and their families.  Millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits for medical care, food, housing, and other needs.  We cannot force seniors to pay even more to fill the hole left by unnecessary and irresponsible cuts to Social Security.”