Holland Reporter

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) testified before the House Budget Committee on the need to address the nation's fiscal challenges and protect Social Security and Medicare. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Social Security will become insolvent by 2034, necessitating a 23% cut, while Medicare Part A will be depleted by 2031, resulting in an 11% cut.

Huizenga stressed that this issue goes beyond partisan politics, stating, "This isn't a Republican saying this. It is not a Democrat saying this. It is the trustees of these trust funds saying this." He made it clear that his goal is to protect seniors and current beneficiaries while preserving these vital programs for future generations.

To achieve this, Huizenga introduced the Fiscal Commission Act, a bipartisan legislation co-authored with Representative Scott Peters (D-CA). The bill proposes the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission that would develop a package of recommendations to improve the fiscal situation in the medium and long term. Huizenga highlighted the importance of learning from past commissions, such as Simpson-Bowles and the Greenspan Commission, to ensure the success of this initiative.

Under the Fiscal Commission Act, the commission would consist of 16 members, evenly divided between the two parties and the two chambers of Congress, with additional representation from the private sector. The commission would be tasked with improving the solvency of federal programs with trust funds for a period of 75 years, leaving no stone unturned in their recommendations.

Huizenga emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the commission must vote on its proposal to Congress in the first week after the 2024 election. He called for an up-or-down vote without amendment and without delay, acknowledging that it may not be an easy vote for anyone in Congress but emphasizing the need to keep trying.

Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) echoed Huizenga's concerns, emphasizing the need to act now to save Social Security and Medicare. He expressed frustration with those who refuse to address the issue, stating, "Social Security is in the hospital bed with a weak heartbeat. We know it's dead in ten years. We are talking about 23% across the board cuts if we do nothing."

Peters highlighted the cost and difficulty of delaying action, stating, "The longer we wait, the more expensive and more difficult those choices will be and the more likely cuts will be." He urged his colleagues to put aside political considerations and focus on the imminent cuts that will affect seniors if no action is taken.

In conclusion, the testimonies of Congressman Huizenga and Congressman Peters shed light on the urgent need to address the nation's fiscal challenges and protect Social Security and Medicare. The bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act proposed by Huizenga and Peters offers a practical and immediate path forward to find solutions that preserve these crucial programs for future generations. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.

To learn more, click on this link: https://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402741