Today, Social Security turns 87 – but despite over two million North Carolinians relying on the program for everything from rent to groceries, Republicans have plans that could cut the benefits seniors have earned if they take control of Congress. North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) Chair Bobbie Richardson released the following statement: 

“Republicans have made themselves perfectly clear: North Carolinians’ hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits could be on the chopping block if Congressman Ted Budd and the GOP take control. While Democrats are cutting the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and continuing to keep Medicare safe with the Inflation Reduction Act, North Carolina Republicans are celebrating Social Security’s birthday by pushing plans that could cut North Carolina seniors’ benefits and end the Social Security and Medicare guarantee altogether.”

Earlier this year, Rick Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, put forward a plan that received praise from RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel and other prominent Republicans that could put North Carolinians’ Social Security and Medicare benefits on the chopping block. A group representing the majority of House Republicans, including the entire Republican U.S. House delegation from North Carolina, also released a plan which includes cuts to Social Security and Medicare. 

If Republicans get their way and Medicare and Social Security are cut, it could have a significant financial toll on the over two million North Carolinians who rely on Medicare for their health coverage and over two million North Carolinians who receive Social Security benefits. 

###