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Social Security: Republicans keep wading into the 'third rail of American politi...

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Social Security: Republicans keep wading into the 'third rail of American politics'

Ben Werschkul
·Washington Correspondent
Wed, September 28, 2022, 6:29 AM·4 min read

Social Security has become a predictable talking point for Democrats heading into the midterms, but some Republicans have also been surprisingly eager to engage on the hot-button topic.

While many GOP leaders have tried to stay mum on the so-called “third rail of American politics,” other Republican figures have waded in.

The latest example came this week from Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who's running to be the top Republican on the House Budget Committee next year. In an interview with Punchbowl News, he discussed Social Security reform and opened the door to the possibility of future benefit cuts.

“I am not suggesting anyone who’s on Social Security right now have their benefits cut,” he told the outlet. But for future retirees, he added, “There are ways that we can address [the looming insolvency of the program] and make it sustainable.”

U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) addresses U.S. Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young during a U.S. House Budget Committee hearing on U.S. President Joe Biden's budget plan for the fiscal year 2023, in Washington, U.S., March 29, 2022. Roberto Schmidt/Pool via REUTERS
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) is running to oversee the House Budget Committee if Republicans take control of Congress next year. (Roberto Schmidt/Pool via REUTERS)

The willingness of Republicans like him to engage on the issue is notable because of the popularity of the entitlement programs — which primarily benefit older citizens, a crucial voting bloc for both parties.

Blake Masters, who's in a tight Senate race in Arizona, even floated the idea of privatizing Social Security during a forum in June before walking back those comments.

Senate Republican campaign chair Rick Scott (R-FL) also released a plan in February that included a requirement for Congress to review “all federal legislation” — including Social Security and Medicare — every five years. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has gone further and suggested that re-funding the programs should happen each year.

The rollout of the House Republicans’ “Commitment to America” last week included a vow to “Save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare” without providing any further information on how they might approach the issue.

‘You’ve been paying into Social Security’

The sacredness of Social Security has been an increasing theme among Democrats in recent years. Bernie Sanders campaigned on raising benefits when he ran for president in 2020. Biden echoed some of the Vermont Senator’s language, marking a change from previously being open to "freezing" the program.


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