Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu told CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday morning that Social Security cuts should be “on the table.”
newsweek President-elect Donald Trump's transition team and Sununu's office were emailed Sunday morning seeking comment.
why is it important
Approximately 56 million Americans age 65 and older receive Social Security. Americans have been paying into the system for years, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) is on track to run out of funds to pay in full as early as 2035.
Social Security has become a dangerous issue on Capitol Hill because lawmakers want a federal program to solve the bankruptcy crisis but don't want to upset the voters who benefit from it.
What you need to know
Appeared on CNN state of the union Sununu, who is not seeking re-election this year, spoke Sunday to the incoming Trump administration and the Republican-controlled House and Senate about what he wants the government to do to rein in spending.
“What they want to do politically, riding on the political momentum of this election, is understanding that while it may not be tomorrow, the challenges for Social Security are real and that a balanced budget amendment will make them permanent.” “We're going to build something. That means social security for everyone,” he said, “and that means benefits will be cut by 17 percent.”
Social Security officials predict that without legislative action, program beneficiaries could lose 17% of their benefits in 2035.
Bash countered, saying, “But Trump has already said he won't touch Social Security.”
“And that's the challenge. Getting past the political hurdles. Getting people in the hills to say, 'Either we deal with the crisis eight years from now, or we deal with it in a more constructive way today.' ” Sununu said.
Bash then asked, “So do you think the president-elect is wrong to say that we should take away entitlements like Medicare and Social Security, which, as you know, are a big part of the budget?”
Entitlement is a government program that provides benefits to people based on age, income, or disability. Social Security and Medicare are rights.
“They should be on the table,” the governor replied. “It doesn't mean you don't have to do it tomorrow.”
Mr. Sununu proposed establishing a committee, guidelines, and indicators to address this issue.
“Nobody wants to touch this 'third rail,'” he says. “My point is … that the American people are saying, 'Do it, do it, fix this, because we don't want benefits cut, we don't want Medicare to disappear.'
Sununu endorsed former South Carolina governor and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican primary. After Haley withdrew from the race, Sununu, who has criticized Trump in the past, said she supported his bid for president.
Countess Jemal/Getty Images for Time
people's opinions
Republican National Committee (RNC) He said in a pamphlet for the Republican National Convention in July that Republicans “will fight for and protect Social Security and Medicare without cuts, including changing the retirement age.”
playing cards “There's a lot that can be done with rights, first of all, in terms of curtailment of rights, and even theft and mismanagement of rights, very mismanagement of rights,” he said in a March interview with CNBC. ” he said.
Trump campaign spokesperson Caroline Leavitt He told CNN in March that President Trump was “clearly talking about reducing waste, not rights.”
He added, “President Trump made good on his promise to protect Social Security and Medicare in his first term. President Trump will continue to strongly protect Social Security and Medicare in his second term.”
what happens next
Republicans are unlikely to touch Social Security any time soon. Last week, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill called the Social Security Fairness Act that would eliminate benefit limits for people who receive pensions from government and public service jobs.
Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, tried to pass an amendment to the bill that would phase in the retirement age to 70 to receive benefits, but it failed 93-3. The three senators who voted in favor of the amendment were Paul and Republican senators Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Mike Lee of Utah.
