Ivana Saric reports for Axios that Republicans could be hurting their ability to take control of the US Senate in 2024 because of their stands on Medicare and Social Security. House Republicans’ support for major spending cuts of Medicare, Social Security and other benefits, are not popular with voters.
There’s plenty of evidence from past Congressional races that voters tend to vote against candidates who seek to cut Social Security and Medicare.
Still, Republicans in the House have obligated themselves to a balanced budget over the next decade. Since they won’t raise taxes, and they don’t seem to want to eliminate waste in Medicare Advantage or to permit Medicare to negotiate drug prices, it seems inevitable that Social Security and Medicare will be on the chopping block. Of course, they are saying that they won’t cut these programs.
The Republicans can’t win on Medicare and Social Security, with a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic President. So, it would be wise for them to hold off proposing Medicare and Social Security cuts for the moment. Instead, the Republicans might propose cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, which are less politically toxic. Though, the public is not with them on cuts to the Affordable Care Act.
Where are the battles? The Democrats will face competitive races in Ohio, Arizona along with 18 other seats. In West Virginia, Joe Manchin’s seat is on the line. In Montana, Jon Tester’s seat is on the line.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Republicans and Democrats should agree to cut the waste in Medicare Advantage
- Republicans plan to cut Social Security, President Biden should release a plan to expand it
- Senate Republicans introduce bill to undo Democrats’ prescription drug cost-cutting legislation
- Advocates launch pledge campaign to protect Social Security and Medicare
- 2023: Congress should scrap the Social Security cap
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