Take Action
Urge your senators and representative to oppose any fiscal commission
Legislation introduced in both chambers (S. 3262/H.R. 5779) would create a 16-member fiscal commission—6 senators, 6 representatives, and 4 outside experts—charged with creating a plan to achieve a “sustainable ratio” between federal debt and spending. The plan could include major changes in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other safety net programs.
The commission’s mandate is vague and expansive, with no requirement to balance spending cuts and generating revenue. Input and debate—within Congress as well as the general public—would be severely limited. From experience, we know what that means.
A similar commission created by the Budget Control Act of 2011 ultimately led to deep cuts in education funding. As a result, the public schools that educate the vast majority of students—9 out of 10—receive $13.6 billion less in annual appropriations than they received a dozen years ago (after adjusting for inflation).
This time, the outcome could be even worse. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—the bedrock of our nation’s safety net—are in the cross hairs.