Some good news from House Democrats on the debt ceiling fight. House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, who often seems to carry water for the more conservative members of the Democratic House caucus, has united with Nancy Pelosi in opposition to cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
TPM:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been clear for weeks that entitlement benefit cuts -- reducing the guarantees promised to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid beneficiaries -- are off the table in high-stakes negotiations to raise the national debt limit and avoid a catastrophic default. [...]
Pelosi's lieutenant, Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), is one of the Dems who in the past has called for benefit cuts to be on the table -- alongside tax revenues, and savings -- as part of a bipartisan plan to bring the budget into balance. Today, though, he said he's with Pelosi 100 percent in the current fight, even if Republicans agree to a "grand bargain" that includes new tax revenue.
"We have made it very clear that we have no intention of supporting cuts in beneficiaries' benefits," Hoyer said at his Tuesday press briefing, in response to a question from TPM.
Even though Republicans have a 24-seat majority in the House, at least 60 of them are opposed to raising the debt ceiling under any condition. As such, Democratic votes will be needed to pass a deal through the House, making it very important that Hoyer and Pelosi remain united in opposition to benefit cuts.
Still, with the "Gang of Six" gaining momentum, stopping cuts to entitlement benefits will also be extremely difficult on the Senate side. To fight back, Daily Kos is joining with Senator Bernie Sanders to oppose any cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. You can sign our joint petition here.
After you sign, Senator Sanders will convey your opposition to congressional leaders and the White House. Keep in mind that Sanders spoke for eight hours on the floor of the Senate in opposition to the tax cut deal last December, so if there is someone who you can trust to convey your opposition to benefit cuts, it's him.
Join Bernie Sanders and Daily Kos in saying no to any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.