The GOP Grabs the Third Rail(s) of American Politics

The Republicans are so committed to cutting Social Security and Medicare that they are willing to crash the economy

Ever since Kevin McCarthy sold off the last shreds of his dignity to become Speaker, the Republicans have been dodging, denying, and straight-up lying about their plans to cut Social Security and Medicare. But Tony Romm of the Washington Post got the scoop this week:

House Republicans have started to weigh a series of legislative proposals targeting Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs, part of a broader campaign to slash federal spending that could force the new majority to grapple with some of the most difficult and delicate issues in American politics.

Romm’s article confirmed what we suspected after McCarthy cut a secret backroom deal with the Far Right Freedom Caucus about the debt ceiling. Whether it’s legislation, a balanced budget amendment, or a clash over the debt ceiling, the Republicans are going to do everything in their power to cut Social Security and Medicare.

This is not an esoteric policy battle. It’s a fundamental and irreconcilable disagreement about the kind of country we should be. The Republicans do not believe in the idea of social safety in this country. We are battling to alter the electoral coalitions for 2024 and break up the Republican coalition of mostly White working-class voters.