On Tuesday night, Biden gave his second State of the Union address. Part of his rhetoric included accusing Republicans of wanting to get rid of Social Security and Medicare, an accusation many in the Democrat party have recently made regarding their debt-limit negotiations with Republicans. Biden stated,
“Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what their plans are.”
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset.”
Rep Andy Biggs said Biden wanted to cut Social Security for years. He tweeted a quote from 1995 in which Biden, who was then a Senator, said, “When I argued that we should freeze federal spending, I meant Social Security as well. “I meant Medicare and Medicaid. I meant veterans’ benefits.”
Biden has wanted to cut Social Security for decades.
"When I argued that we should freeze federal spending, I meant Social Security, as well. "I meant Medicare and Medicaid. I meant veterans’ benefits." -Biden 1995.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 10, 2023
Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert posted the 1995 video clip on Twitter saying, “Yep, Biden accuses Republicans of trying to cut Medicare and Social Security. Give me a break.”
Yet Biden accuses Republicans of trying to cut Medicare and Social Security.
Give me a break. pic.twitter.com/zHmd1UvgPC
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) February 9, 2023
Senator Rick Scott challenged Biden to debate the issues after the president insisted congressional Republicans want to cut Social Security and Medicare. Biden called Scott out multiple times by name, even holding up a pamphlet from Scott’s plan, which was distributed to an audience of over 100 people. Biden said,
“I reminded them that Florida’s own Rick Scott, the guy who ran the Senate Campaign Committee for Republicans last year, had a plan to sunset—maybe he’s changed his mind, maybe he’s seen the Lord—but he wanted to sunset it. Meaning if you don’t reauthorize it, it goes away.” He went on,
“The very idea the senator from Florida wants to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every five years I find to be somewhat outrageous, so outrageous that you might not even believe it. ”
Scott responded to Biden via Twitter,
“Since you can’t stop talking about me and lying to Floridians about Social Security and Medicare, I’m sure you’ll accept my invitation to debate the issue. I’ll be back in Florida tonight. You pick the time and place.”
Scott later said he does not want Medicare or Social Security to be cut and accused Biden of “twisting” his words,
“I will not be intimidated by Joe Biden twisting my words, or Chuck Schumer twisting my words—or by anyone else for that matter.”
Welcome to Florida, @Joebiden.
Since you can’t stop talking about me and lying to Floridians about Social Security and Medicare, I’m sure you’ll accept my invitation to debate the issue. I’ll be back in Florida tonight. You pick the time and place.
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) February 9, 2023
On Wednesday, after Biden’s State of the Union address, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy repeated, “Social Security and Medicare are off the table.” House Republicans revealed a proposed bill to guarantee Medicare and Social Security payments could continue even if the debt limit is reached.