President Joe Biden was booed by Congress during his State of the Union address when he said Republicans wanted to cut Medicare and Social Security in order to lower our spending as we reach our debt ceiling limit. However, the Washington Examiner spoke with a number of Republicans just before the State of the Union who mentioned cutting Social Security and Medicaid were off the table.
“Some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,” Biden said during the State of the Union. This led to an eruption of boos from the audience. Microphones picked up Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) yelling, “Liar!” As cameras turned toward the crowd, viewers could see Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) shaking their heads and waving their arms. Both spoke with Washington Examiner earlier in the day and said they would not consider cutting Medicare and Social Security.
STATE OF THE UNION 2023: MTG WANTS TO BRING ‘CHINESE SPY BALLOON’ TO BIDEN’S ADDRESS
“Medicare and Social Security. Period. If you hear anyone say we’re going to cut Medicare and Social Security, it is a flat-out lie,” McClain said.
“We’re not going to touch Social Security. We’re not going to touch Medicare,” Johnson said.
Others warned Biden would try and mention the cuts as a Republican move.
“We’ve been very clear we’re not going to be talking about Social Security and Medicare, even though the president and congressional Democrats always want to go there first,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) said.
STATE OF THE UNION 2023: WHAT REPUBLICANS WISH BIDEN WOULD SAY IN HIS ADDRESS
“I am not interested nor looking to cut Social Security or Medicare. As far as I’m concerned, that’s off the table,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) said. “So for the Democrats to try and act as though that’s the big boogeyman here, that’s not what we’re talking about.”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said, “It goes without saying we must protect Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare benefits.”
Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) said, “I think I’ve been clear by leadership that we’re not going to touch Social Security or Medicaid. Those are not going to be issues that are going to be on the table.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) even went as far as to say not only do people need these programs but that Congress needs to protect them for future generations.
Cline said that “making sure we protect entitlement, Social Security, and Medicare while making sure that we long-term reform the programs and make sure they exist for future generations” is a priority.
