Bernie Sanders Slams Bipartisan Push to Fast-Track Social Security Cuts

In a letter sent Tuesday, the Vermont independent detailed his opposition to the legislation, which aims to address the looming insolvency of the Social Security trust fund. The program is projected to cover only 78% of scheduled benefits by 2032 if Congress fails to intervene. Sanders contends that the bill’s structure, which forces votes during the post-election lame-duck session, is designed to shield members of Congress from the political fallout of benefit reductions.

Five of the seven senators sponsoring the act are either retiring or have lost their re-election bids, a detail Sanders highlighted to underscore the lack of democratic accountability. The AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare have voiced similar concerns, objecting to the use of procedural shortcuts for such significant changes to earned benefits.

Instead of the PROMISE Act, Sanders is pushing for a plan to extend the program’s solvency by lifting the payroll tax cap. Currently, income above $184,500 is exempt from the tax. His proposal, which would subject income above $250,000 to the tax, aims to secure the fund for 75 years. While Republicans previously blocked his efforts to expand benefits by $2,400 annually, polling suggests the idea maintains strong public support. Sanders insisted that the Democratic Party must refuse to support any measure that risks cutting benefits, raising the retirement age, or privatizing the system.