Dear President Obama:
We join millions of Americans in applauding your Inaugural Address declaration that “we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.”
Democrats have built the most popular government programs in American history – including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security -- by working with Republicans whenever possible and by defeating Republican opposition whenever necessary. The torch has been passed to today’s elected officials, and we must carry it forward boldly.
Voters across the political spectrum oppose cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits, and we must do whatever it takes to protect these vital benefits from cuts.
That’s why we write to let you know that we will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits -- including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need.
We firmly believe that the best way to reduce our deficit and make our economy grow is to create jobs, and we look forward to a returned focus on this core issue.
We also know that there are common-sense reforms that would reduce health-care costs and save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars without cutting benefits. If Republicans oppose these reforms, and insist on benefits cuts, that proves they are not concerned about the deficit – but instead are trying to tear the social safety net and cause pain for our constituents who can least absorb it.
Finally, Americans agree that there is more that must be done to require the rich and giant corporations to pay their fair share. Indeed, it is their patriotic duty to do so.
As you negotiate with Republicans, you deserve to know that millions of Americans and the below signed Members of Congress stand ready to fight for the principles listed above.
Sincerely,
- Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)
- Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA)
- Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)
- Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
- Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
- Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN)
- Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
- Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
- Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
- Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)
- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
- Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY)
- Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
- Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
- Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
- Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
- Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)
- Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA)
- Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
- Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
- Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
- Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
- Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)
- Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
- Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA)
- Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO)
- Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
- Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
- Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI)
- Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
- Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH)
- Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ)
- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
- Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa)
- Rep. Donna Christensen (D - Virgin Islands)
The following Representatives have released statements, but have not signed onto the Grayson-Takano letter:
- Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02): statement promising to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.
- Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA): statement promising to vote against cuts to Social Security or Medicaid benefits.
- Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): statement promising to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.
- Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.
- Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.
- Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.
