MADISON — Ron Johnson claims he wants to save Social Security, but his record shows that he has repeatedly called to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, supported raising the retirement age, and backs sending seniors back to work. Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes will always fight for Wisconsin’s seniors and every Wisconsinite who pays into Social Security and Medicare.
The proud son of a union family, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes knows firsthand that Wisconsinites have earned the benefits they’ve paid into their entire lives. In the Senate, he’ll work across the aisle to protect Social Security and Medicare and ensure they are strong for decades to come.
Ron Johnson has repeatedly supported putting Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every year:
- Ron Johnson has made repeated calls to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every year, putting the benefits Wisconsinites have paid into their entire lives at threat.
- Associated Press: “Johnson has called for the end of guaranteed money for Medicare and Social Security, two popular programs that American politicians usually steer clear from.”
- Washington Post: Headline: “Sen. Johnson suggests ending Medicare, Social Security as mandatory spending programs.”
- Washington Post: “Johnson, who is seeking a third term in the Senate, lamented that the Social Security and Medicare programs automatically grant benefits to those who meet the qualifications — that is, to those who had been paying into the system over their working life.”
- Politifact: “Putting [Social Security and Medicare] up for annual review would increase the chances that they are reduced.”
- Johnson has also:
- Voted to raise the retirement age to 70
- Called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and likened it to “candy” that rots teeth.
- “Said that he supported privatizing Social Security”
- Revealed that he wants to “coax” seniors out of retirement so they can “earn a few extra bucks.”
- Johnson stood with Big Pharma and voted against allowing Medicare to negotiate fairer drug prices, voted to cut $473 billion from Medicare, and called health care a “privilege” for those who can “afford it.”
