About two dozen senior citizens and veterans gathered Tuesday outside the Turlock office of Rep. John Duarte, R-Hughson, to protest the congressman’s initial support for H.R. 2811, a bill the group says proposed damaging cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
That legislation — called the Limit, Save, Grow Act by supporters, but dubbed the Default on America Act by opponents — failed to pass the U.S. Senate and became a political moot point. Nevertheless, protesters wanted to make known their displeasure of Duarte’s willingness to even consider such cuts.
“People care a lot about this issue and, so, they show up,” said Jodi Reid, director for the California Alliance for Retired Americans. “It’s our money. We’ve paid into these programs all our lives. They call them an entitlement, but they’re earned benefits. To have anybody in office talk about taking that away, or cutting, or raising the eligibility age, or privatizing them, under the auspices of saving them, it’s hard to believe they would even go there.”
H.R. 2811 would have resulted in at least a 23 percent budget cut to the Social Security Administration, according to Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
During the nearly 60-minute event, protesters chanted slogans such as, “Congressman Duarte, let’s be clear … cutting Social Security kills your career” and “Together we shout, together we fight for Social Security with all our might.”
Diana Diaz, an organizer for the North Valley Labor Federation, pointed out in her remarks that there are 122,000 Social Security recipients in the 13th District. Her implication was clear: in a district that was decided by 564 votes, senior citizens carry considerable political clout.
Duarte disagreed with the protesters’ characterization.
“Every American is entitled to a worry-free retirement, with compensation and coverage to match the dedication they put into furthering not only their personal careers but also the American economy,” said Duarte. “We are at a turning point in our handling of Social Security and Medicare. Congress’ actions will set a precedent for the future livelihoods of our works and senior citizens, and I remain committed to maintaining these programs.”
To make sure Duarte remains committed, Social Security Works — a non-profit organization that works to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and lower prescription drug prices — plans to erect a billboard along Highway 152 (between Dos Palos and Chowchilla), reminding voters that Duarte supported H.R. 2811, and urging them to call his office and ask that he protect these programs.
“Solvent Social Security and Medicare cannot exist without a solvent government,” said Duarte, who voted to support the debt-ceiling bill that was eventually signed by President Biden. “I am dedicated to making sure we have the fiscal security to protect these programs for generations to come.
“My team and I will continue to engage with all members of our community and welcome further conversations surrounding these pressing issues.”
Yesenia Cuevas, an organizing member for CARA, said she met with Sam Samra, Duarte’s district director, before the protest and said he agreed to address the protestors at some point during the event, but was a no-show.
“Sam was standing out here in the parking lot and saw that I had a banner and he came up to me and he said, ‘You know, you guys are wrong, but I would like to correct you,” said Cuevas. “He said, ‘I can speak for about five to 10 minutes and address any concerns you have.’”
Duarte’s office said that Samra was involved in an office-wide conference call and when he finally was available to step outside, the protest had dispersed.
