Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tried to use the failed Republican tax cuts for the rich to guilt Democrats into cutting Social Security and Medicare to lower the deficit.
McConnell said during an interview with Bloomberg:
(Bloomberg) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the U.S. budget deficit is "disturbing" and spending on entitlement programs must be addressed by both Republicans and Democrats.
— Brian Chappatta (@BChappatta) October 16, 2018
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When the tax cuts were passed, McConnell claimed that they would lower, not increase, the deficit:
Important >> Mitch McConnell says spending on Social Security & Medicare needs to be cut.
Also Important >> McConnell said about the huge tax cut: "I not only don't think it will increase the deficit…It will produce more than enough to fill that gap"https://t.co/CsxXlnr2ZU https://t.co/IVYT0pVmFI
— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) October 16, 2018
What really happened with the tax cut is that deficit exploded to highest level since 2012:
Thanks Trump, Paul Ryan and McConnell, so much winning NOT— U.S. deficit rises 17% to the highest level since 2012 – CNN Business https://t.co/0TVSC5kUwt
— Jackie Van Over (@TalentAcquisit) October 15, 2018
Mitch McConnell blew up the deficit, and now he expects Democrats to help him cut Social Security and Medicare
Sen. McConnell knew that the tax cuts for the wealthy would not pay for themselves. Republicans knew that the tax cuts would cause the deficit to explode. The deficit is their pretext for cutting Social Security and Medicare. If Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate, they are going to cut Social Security and Medicare.
McConnell’s comments today were a signal that this is exactly what they intend to do. Republicans have been trying for decades to privatize Social Security and Medicare. Privatization is where this discussion is going if Republicans keep control of Congress. If you are an older voter, vote like your Social Security and Medicare depend on your ballot, because in three weeks, they will.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
