A sneak attack, the TRUST Act will cut Social Security and Medicare

Contact your congressman NOW

Although President Donald Trump backed down last week and agreed to drop his demand that a payroll tax cut be part of any new coronavirus relief package in the wake of public opposition, the whole scenario was little more than a coverup for a new attack on Social Security.

The federal payroll tax provides Social Security’s dedicated funding. A payroll tax cut would weaken the system, impact future benefit payments –– and do little to boost the economy.

Just hours Trump backed down, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R- Ky.) introduced the HEALS Act — the Senate GOP’s opening bid on coronavirus relief, which includes the so-called TRUST Act, a bill crafted by Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah). The TRUST Act creates a fast track for Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts, and has nothing to do with the COVID-19 crisis.

The TRUST Act is not new. It’s been knocking around the corridors of Capitol Hill since last year.

USING THE PANDEMIC AS COVER
Like so much of the GOP bill, it is a corporate gift disguised as relief for struggling workers. In reality, it is an attempt to tamper with Social Security behind closed doors in a way that would allow senators and members of Congress to wreak havoc on the program without leaving fingerprints.

Social Security advocates are universally opposed to the measure.

“In the midst of a catastrophic pandemic,” says Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, Republicans “should be focused on protecting seniors, essential workers, and the unemployed. Instead, they are plotting to use the cover of the pandemic to slash Social Security.”

A NEW LOW
“Using the pandemic as an excuse to sneak in a surprise attack on Social Security is a new low and we must mobilize quickly to block it,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA).

“Retirees are at the highest risk from COVID-19 – and the Administration has failed to protect their health. Adding a scheme to cut the benefits that older Americans have earned over a lifetime of work to a pandemic relief bill is cruel, cynical and unacceptable.”

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

The ARA is urging all union members, especially retirees, to make their voices heard by signing an urgent petition to stop this new sneak attack on Social Security: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-mitch-mcconnell-and-mitt-romneys-scheme-to-cut-social-security-and-medicare.

Tell Congress to say NO to this bad idea before it’s too late!