(The Daily Signal) — House Republicans booed President Joe Biden on Tuesday evening over the president’s claim that the GOP wants to cut Medicare and Social Security.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years,” Biden said during his State of the Union address. “That means if Congress doesn’t vote to keep them, those programs will go away.”
“Other Republicans say if we don’t cut Social Security and Medicare, they’ll let America default on its debt for the first time in our history,” he added. “I won’t let that happen.”
His remarks elicited a strong reaction from the assembled lawmakers — many of whom could be heard loudly booing.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who leapt to her feet, could be seen giving the president a thumbs-down.
“Liar,” she yelled.
"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I'm not saying it's the majority," Biden says.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calls Biden a "liar!" pic.twitter.com/zMO3M2IiBz
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 8, 2023
The House Republicans’ Twitter account similarly denounced Biden’s claim, noting that Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said that “cuts to Medicare and Social Security, they are off the table.”
“Joe Biden is a LIAR,” the House Republicans account said on Tuesday evening. And the Republican National Committee’s Twitter account reminded users that “a decade ago, Biden repeatedly stressed the importance of NEGOTIATING the debt limit.”
Former President Donald Trump similarly slammed Biden in a Truth Social post, saying, “He’s lying so much about Social Security, Medicare, and so many other things!”
Joe Biden is LIAR. #SOTU
"Cuts to Medicare and Social Security they are off the table." – @SpeakerMcCarthy pic.twitter.com/DamVCUFkz7
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) February 8, 2023
“Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors,” Biden continued. “Americans have been paying into them with every single paycheck since they started working. So tonight, let’s all agree to stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare.”
“Those benefits belong to the American people,” Biden said. “They earned them. If anyone tries to cut Social Security, I will stop them. And if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I will stop them. I will not allow them to be taken away. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.”
Mary Margaret Olohan
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for The Daily Signal.
