Press Releases

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding reports that Senate Republicans may demand that the TRUST Act be included in the next COVID-19 response package:

“After months of obstruction and baffling failures of leadership, Senate Republicans are finally cobbling together a half-hearted COVID-19 response proposal that will fall far short of the sweeping Heroes Act House Democrats passed back in May. I am particularly troubled by reports that indicate Republicans may push for inclusion of the TRUST Act in whatever deal Congress reaches.

“The TRUST Act will result in far-reaching cuts to Social Security and Medicare – that is the intention of the bill. The legislation sets up closed-door commissions to fast-track the destruction of these programs. In 2010, a similar closed-door commission made cuts to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA); hiked the retirement age (which is an across-the-board benefit cut for all retirees); changed the Social Security benefit formula to reduce the amount people receive each month; and made cuts to Medicare that forced seniors and individuals with disabilities to pay more for drugs, doctor visits, and hospital care by increasing cost-sharing like co-pays.

“The last thing struggling Americans need right now is a secret panel designed to slash their earned benefits and further undermine their economic security. It’s astonishing that attacking Social Security and Medicare are Republicans’ priorities at this moment, not protecting people’s health care or ensuring families can afford to stay in their homes and put food on the table. I wholeheartedly object to the TRUST Act and will fight against its nefarious inclusion in any upcoming relief package.”

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