Rep. Cicilline Issues Statement on McConnell Plan to Cut Medicare

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island, Oct. 17 -- Rep. David N. Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, suggested slashing Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security because of the deficits created by the Republican tax reform:

"When Republicans tell us what they're going to do in power, we should listen. Just a day after falsely claiming Social Security and Medicare are the reasons for the deficit, Senator McConnell has doubled down by saying Republicans will keep trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"If they succeed, they will take away protections for 130 million people with pre-existing conditions, raise health care costs, impose an age tax on older Americans, and eliminate access to coverage for millions of working people.

"Democrats know that Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act are worth saving. While Republicans fight for the special interests that fund their campaigns, Democrats are fighting for the people by working to lower prescription drug costs, ensure retirement security, and pass a tax cut for the middle class rather than the biggest and most profitable corporations."