Richmond, VA – Hung Cao called a radical plan that could put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block “perfect” – which could jeopardize the benefits millions of Virginians have worked hard to earn and rely on.
In February of 2022, Florida Senator Rick Scott, then serving as the leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, rolled out a radical budgetary plan for the GOP that he saw as a blueprint if he were to become Majority Leader. Hung Cao bragged that he was consulted by Rick Scott about the plan and called it “perfect” and endorsed Rick Scott for Majority Leader and called him his political mentor.
Part of Scott’s 11-point plan was to force Congress to sunset Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid every five years. Currently the programs are mandatory funding in the budget agreement, but forcing Congress to repeatedly approve them would put them on the chopping block. There would be no guarantee that Virginians who rely on these vital programs would have consistent access to them. That’s over 148,000 Virginians on Social Security, 1.6 million on Medicare, and 1.8 million on Medicaid.
Mitch McConnell even lambasted Scott for this radical plan, saying “It’s just a bad idea.” What is crystal clear is that while this plan was far from perfect for McConnell, Hung Cao thinks this radical scheme would be “perfect.”
“Hung Cao’s radical plan to put Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid on the MAGA chopping block is disastrous for the millions of Virginians who rely on these programs every day,” said Michael Beyer, Communications Director for Senator Kaine’s campaign. “Senator Kaine knows how important these programs are in helping Virginians retire with dignity, it’s why he’s earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Tim stands up for lower costs and access to affordable healthcare in the U.S. Senate, and he will continue to.”
Cao’s Cuts is a series the Kaine for Virginia campaign launched to highlight how Hung Cao supports a radical plan that could weaken border security; defund law enforcement; jeopardize veterans’ benefits; raise taxes on active-duty servicemembers and disenfranchise veterans; put Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid on the chopping block; raise taxes on Virginia families and small businesses; and give the rich giant tax giveaways.
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