President Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday rejected the idea that he will be looking to cut benefits for people already using Social Security and Medicare.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., stressed several times during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Banking Committee that his aim was to find ways to preserve these programs, not cut the benefits of people who rely on them.
On Social Security, Mulvaney was pressed by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., to explain if he wants to cut the benefits of a typical couple in their 70s. “No, sir,” was his reply.
“I’m not making my parents go back to work,” he added. “They’re 74 years old. That’s not what this is about. This is about trying to preserve those programs.”
“The folks who are 75 years old and are relying on Social Security… they don’t have to worry about Social Security,” he added.
But he indicated that some steps could be taken to preserve these programs, including by having people work longer before retirement. “I’ve already told my children to prepare for exactly that,” he said.
He also said Medicare benefits “should and could be means-tested.”
Mulvaney was challenged by Democrats to explain why he previously called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme.” In reply, Mulvaney said that comment was a simple description of how the system works, which is to take money from some to give to others.
He indicated that system was not a problem when 15 people used to work for every one person withdrawing benefits. But he said the system will soon have just two people working for every one person withdrawing benefits, and said changes need to be made to make Social Security sustainable.
