WASHINGTON, April 4 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the founder of the Defending Social Security Caucus, issued the following statement in response to reports that President Obama will include the so-called chained-CPI in his budget proposal:

Millions of working people, seniors, disabled veterans, those who have lost a loved one in combat, and women will be extremely disappointed if President Obama caves into the long standing Republican effort to cut Social Security and benefits for disabled veterans and their survivors through a so-called chained CPI.  In 2008, candidate Barack Obama told the American people that he would not cut Social Security.  Having him go back on his word will only add to the rampant political cynicism that our country is experiencing today.

If Obama is serious about dealing with our deficit he would not cut Social Security – which has not added one penny to the deficit.  Instead, he would support legislation that ends the absurdity of one out of four profitable corporations paying nothing in federal income taxes.  He would also help us close the offshore tax haven loopholes that enable large corporations and the wealthy to avoid paying $100 billion a year in federal taxes.