The Trump Budget is an Attack on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
On February 14th, 2018, Social Security Works Legislative Director Jasmine Jefferson spoke to a #HandsOff rally opposing Donald Trump’s budget proposal. A transcript of her remarks is below:
I am happy to stand here with my colleagues in strong opposition to the Trump Budget and to call on Congress to reject this disgusting proposal.
This budget is a massive attack on all Americans, and especially our seniors. Donald Trump promised over and over again during his presidential campaign that he wouldn’t cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, yet this budget cuts these programs by over $1.8 trillion. The cuts in this budget would drag millions of older Americans into poverty and force seniors, who are already on fixed incomes, to decide between paying for food and paying for medicine.
Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are united in their support for Social Security, and yet Republicans in Washington are doing everything they can to dismantle it. Social Security serves over 60 million Americans, and Donald Trump’s budget breaks the promise, to them and every future beneficiary, that Social Security will provide economic security when we need it most.
The United States is the wealthiest country in the world and we can afford Social Security, we can afford Medicare, we can afford Medicaid, we can afford SSI, Meals on Wheels and Home Heating Assistance. We can afford every single program that was mentioned here today, but instead Donald Trump wants to CUT these programs to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Wealthy Americans who already do not pay their fair share into Social Security, and, as of today, will not pay another penny into Social Security for the rest of the year like the rest of us.
Donald Trump has made it clear where his values lie, but we will continue to make our voices and our values heard and we will fight, not only to protect but to expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for every American. Thank you.
