Forty-eight Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) on Thursday, urging him to stick with the conclusion that the GOP’s plan to privatize Medicare is a non-starter with Democrats.
“Your conclusion was correct that House Republicans “need to look elsewhere” after President Obama “excoriated” the proposal you and your Republican colleagues adopted to privatize Medicare through a voucher system,” the letter reads.
Americans don’t want to destroy Medicare in order to give even more tax cuts to millionaires.While I am sure you are under pressure from your caucus to defend that misguided vote rather than to move away from it, I urge you to maintain the position you took yesterday as reported by The Washington Post. The two parties can and must work together to reduce the deficit, but not if Republicans maintain their demand to end Medicare as we know it. If you need further proof that the House Republican plan is a non-starter, I urge you to review the enclosed letter.
He’s referring to a separate letter to President Obama, signed by 50 Democrats, explaining the caucus’ view that the GOP’s Medicare plan won’t fly in the Senate.
“We are writing to commend you for your opposition to turning Medicare into a voucher system as proposed in the House Republican’s FY2012 budget,” that letter reads. “…We urge you to protect America’s seniors and oppose any attempts to dismantle Medicare.”
All but three caucus members — Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) — signed on. Read both missives here.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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