U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz has announced her support for a bill that aims to protect Social Security and Medicare from the statutory debt limit in the event of a government default.
The Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act was introduced by Rep. John James, R-Farmington Hills, on Feb. 8, one day after President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.
Biden drew the ire from Republicans when he accused some GOP members of wanting to cut Medicare and Social Security.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans — some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I am not saying it’s a majority,” Biden said.
This caused Republicans to become vocal in their disapproval, to which Biden responded: “We’re not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we don’t respond.”
The bill is intended to exempt Medicare and Social Security from counting against the debt limit by authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to continue borrowing money in order to fund the programs.
On Saturday, De La Cruz announced via Facebook that she is co-sponsoring the bill.
“I am proud to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation that ensures our seniors can continue to count on Medicare and Social Security, even during our debt negotiations,” De La Cruz said in a statement shared with The Monitor. “I know how essential these programs are for South Texans because Social Security and Medicare made it possible for my own grandparents to retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work.”
“Our abuelitos deserve to spend their golden years enjoying their grandchildren and families, not counting pennies or skipping doctor’s appointments,” she continued. “Social Security and Medicare are vital to the well-being and health of our seniors, and I will fight tirelessly to strengthen and protect them.”
According to data from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, there are more than 65 million people enrolled in Medicare — an increase of more than three times the amount enrolled when the program was introduced in 1966. In the last decade, more than 10 million new retirees and disabled people have enrolled in Medicare.
The Social Security Administration reported that 69.1 million people received benefits from its programs in 2019, with 5.7 million people becoming eligible that same year.
