Schweikert Fact Check: Despite His Claim, GOP Budget Plan Doesn't ‘Protect, Preserve Social Security and Medicare’

PHOENIX — The Republican Study Committee (RSC) released its budget yesterday and Congressman David Schweikert, a member of the committee, made a dubious claim about its impact on America's seniors and their access to Social Security and Medicare.

CLAIM: In response to the budget's release, Schweikert claimed the plan “promot[es] policies that protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare for our nation's seniors.”

FACT: According to Roll Call, the plan raises the retirement age to 69, thus cutting the Social Security benefits that seniors receive. The plan also “proposes a 'premium support' plan that would subsidize private insurance options that compete with traditional Medicare,” laying the groundwork to destroy the current Medicare system. Both of those changes will impact access to and support from Social Security and Medicare for seniors

Honest Arizona Executive Director Andrea Moreno:

“Congressman Schweikert tells Arizona seniors that he’s looking out for them, but his voting record says the opposite. The congressman has voted over a dozen times to cut Social Security or Medicare, and if this most recent proposal is successful, it will impact the financial well-being of millions of Arizona seniors for years to come. It’s time for Congressman Schweikert to stop misleading Arizonans about his record on Social Security and Medicare and protect our hard-earned benefits in Congress.”

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