Finally Fighting Back

The notion that President Obama's bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Catfood Commission will make serious cuts to Social Security after the November election is the worst kept secret in Washington right now, and House Dems are trying to fight back early.

Democrats led by Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Raul Grijalva are drawing a line in the sand before the White House's fiscal commission: If your report recommends cuts or other changes to Social Security, they will say, you'll lose our support.

In a letter to be sent to President Obama, obtained by TPM, House Democrats will pledge to vote against any legislation based on the commission's report unless Social Security is taken off the table.

"We oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, including raising the retirement age," the letter reads. "We also oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.... If any of the Commission's recommendations cut or diminish Social Security in any way, we will stand firmly against them."

The effort is intended to tie the commission's hands, at least on this issue.

"It's up to members of Congress to pre-empt the commission," says Alex Lawson, communications director for the advocacy group Social Security Works.

After all, we have to pay for Social Security somehow.  One would think that by letting the Bush tax cuts expire we can then use that revenue to pay for it, but apparently enough Dems would rather give tax cuts to the rich and cut Social Security benefits instead.

This will go over well with Democratic voters, of course.  Hence the "after the election" part.