GOP slammed for Social Security 'death panel' plan

  (Raw Story) : Progressives on Tuesday sounded alarm over a proposal tucked into a new House GOP budget blueprint that would establish a bipartisan commission to review and propose legislative changes to Social Security and Medicare. Nancy Altman, president of the advocacy group Social Security Works , noted in a statement that "the White House has accurately labeled a commission as a 'death panel' for Social Security," referring to a Biden administration spokesperson'sresponse earlier this year after House Republicans and Sen.Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) floated the idea of a bipartisan commission for the program. House Republicans' new resolution , unveiled by House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), revives that proposal, which haspreviously garnered support from several Democrats. Advocates have long decried such commissions as an attempt to bypass the regular legislative process, dodge political backlash, and expedite Social Security cuts. Legislation introduced by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in 2021 would create bipartisan panels with mandates to craft legislation that "improves" the finances of Social Security and other trust fund programs. The bills produced by the bipartisan committees would receive expedited consideration in the House and Senate. "The only reason to make changes to Social Security via a closed-door, fast-track commission is to cut benefits," Altman argued Tuesday. "Rep. Arrington and his fellow Republicans understand this, which is why their budget would create just such a commission. Republicans ..