The Deal

Our battle to protect Social Security and Medicare from benefit cuts succeeded, but the fight is far from over...for all the ground the President ceded to the GOP in this final compromise, neither the initial cuts nor the potential "trigger" cuts would reduce benefits for our seniors, who can now rest assured their checks will continue to be sent out.

While this isn't the deal we wanted, there's no doubt in my mind our efforts made a difference in this fight. Thanks to all 17,478 Citizen Co-sponsors who took action at NoSocialSecurityCuts.com, we were able to keep Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts off the table. That is no small feat in this political climate.

Having met this most fundamental demand, and facing imminent default with unthinkable consequences for our economy, I ultimately voted in favor of the compromise bill. To say the least, it was an extremely unpleasant vote, presenting us with a difficult choice we never should have been forced to consider in the first place.  

Unfortunately, Tea Party Republicans remain as adamant as ever about dismantling Social Security and Medicare, so we need to keep fighting back. As the new congressional "super commission" identifies further areas for deficit reduction this fall, we can't give up an inch. We must and will continue standing firm against Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts, and demand shared sacrifice from corporations and millionaires in any subsequent deal.

With your continued help we can keep Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts off the table in the upcoming deficit discussions, and give voice to the vast majority of Americans who demand a more balanced, less draconian approach to deficit reduction. Together, we'll look for new ways to keep the pressure on the White House and congressional negotiators.

Sincerely,

Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator