NOW Calls For Action Before Senate Debate

Please Take Action: Say NO to the Fast-Track Commission and Cutting Our Benefits. Call your senators today with the toll free phone number 1-800-998-0180 to tell them that you oppose a fast-track commission designed to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Tuesday, January 19 is a National Call-In Day intended to flood the Senate with phone calls to stop this dangerous proposal in its tracks. Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) have come up with a special fast-track commission that they say will cure America's budget problems, and they are holding up other legislation until the Senate votes on their proposal. Debate begins on January 20.

"It is clear from their press release that Senators Conrad and Gregg have painted a big red target on Social Security and Medicare," Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, warned. "That's what this commission is all about. It's a big roll of the dice for Social Security and Medicare."

NOW believes that this type of fast-track commission is undemocratic and takes power away from Congress to make decisions about Social Security. Social Security does not contribute to the national debt, and is instead insurance that workers have earned through many years of their hard work and contributions to the system. Social Security is fundamental to the economic security of everyone, particularly women, seniors, minorities, the disabled, children who lose a parent, people who lose a spouse, and veterans.

"The average Social Security recipient receives $13,860 annually, less if you are a woman. The fact that Senators Conrad and Gregg think the way to fix budget shortfalls is to make seniors poorer is just plain wrongheaded: Social Security doesn't contribute in any way to the national deficit. Who do they think they are kidding?!

For more information about the fast track commission and who's really behind it, check out a recent NOW Action Alert.

NOW is joined by OWL, AFSCME Retirees, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Association of University Women, Generations United, National Senior Citizens Law Center, Pension Right Center, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) and several other national organizations are calling on their members to flood the Senate with phone calls against the Conrad-Gregg Fast Track Commission proposal.

The number for the call-in day has been generously provided by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and -- again is 1-800-998-0180.PLEASE MAKE THOSE CALLS RIGHT AWAY.

If you can't get through to the 800 number or miss the Jan. 19 call-in date, call your senators' Washington, D.C. offices.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.