1 of 5

Grassroots Groups

Presentation

January 30, 2024

​

2 of 5

Commissions Can Be Dangerous

3 of 5

Bi-Partisan Legislation To Create a Fiscal Commission

    • Fiscal Stability Act of 2023 (S.3262) sponsored by Senators Manchin and Romney
    • Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 (H.R. 5779) sponsored by Rep. Peters and Rep. Huizenga
    • Sustainable Budget Act of 2023 (H.R. 710)

​

2 House Budget Hearings (Oct. and Nov): Examining the Need for A Fiscal Commission & Hearing on fiscal commission bills

​

House Budget Committee passed the Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779) in mid-January.

    • The committee approved the bill 22-12 with 3 Democrats (Rep. Peters, Panetta and Blumenauer) joining Republicans in passing the bill.   

FISCAL COMMISSION

​

4 of 5

1. “Fast Track” ”Must Do” Legislation undermines Congress’ deliberative, legislative process and regular order​.

    • No amendments, no debate.

​

2. They Have Focused on Cuts to Safety Net Programs Vulnerable Americans Rely On

    • Everything is on the table.

​

3. American Public Supports Revenue Raising Proposals, Republicans Have Strongly Opposed Increasing Revenues.

    • Major new revenue has never been a part of commission outcomes in the past even when it was on the table.

​

4. Likely Decimate Health Care Coverage Under Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP & ACA but no one is safe.

FISCAL COMMISSION

​

5 of 5

What Kinds of Cuts?

  • Earned Benefits (Social Security, Medicare)
  • Medicaid and other “entitlements”
  • NDD Programs
  • Trust Fund Programs Like the Highway Trust Fund
  • Pensions

​

**Social Security does not contribute to the deficit. It is self-financing, and has accumulated massive surpluses in the form of bonds in the trust funds to pay current and future benefits. Further, it simply cannot add to the government’s publicly held debt, as it has no borrowing authority. Therefore, Social Security has no place in a fiscal commission.