Schatz Joins Senate Colleagues in Opposing Cuts to Social Security, Veterans Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Brian Schatz joined Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and a number of other Senate Democrats in opposing the use of Chained Consumer Price Index to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security or benefits to disabled veterans or their families. 

“We owe it to our seniors and veterans to give them the full benefits that they have earned and deserve,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “I proudly join my Senate Democratic colleagues in opposing Chained CPI, which would break the federal government’s promise to the American people by cutting critical programs like Social Security and veterans’ benefits. While we must find ways to reduce the deficit, the Chained CPI is the wrong choice for seniors, veterans and our nation.  In the coming days and weeks, I will work with both sides of the aisle to find other ways to reduce the deficit that won’t disproportionately impact some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

A full copy of the resolution can be found here.

National groups supporting this effort include: the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, the Alliance for Retired Americans, American Association of University Women, AARP, CREDO, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, MoveOn.org Civic Action, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, United Steelworkers, VetsFirst, and Wider Opportunities for Women.

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