In the short term, push Congress to pass resolutions or amendments that essentially create a political lock-box for Social Security.
Create immediate political pressure by putting lawmakers on record against benefit cuts and weak COLAs while longer solvency negotiations play out. Advance resolutions or amendments that clearly state scheduled benefits must be paid in full and that reforms must protect full COLAs. Use the “lock-box” posture to make backroom cuts harder and to narrow the range of politically acceptable outcomes.
Why this works
- Puts lawmakers on record, making it politically costly to ever cut.
- An automatic funding backstop would reassure the public and markets that benefits won’t drop off a cliff.
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
AdvocacyProtecting and enhancing retirement and health security for seniors
Mechanism
About LobbyingHow National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare uses funding
- Draft a clear resolution or amendment that commits Congress to full scheduled benefits and full COLAs.
- Recruit bipartisan co-sponsors and align allied groups on a single message.
- Push for hearings, floor time, or public votes that put lawmakers on record.
- Coordinate constituent outreach to make the vote high-salience for decision-makers.
- Use the record to shape subsequent solvency negotiations and deter cut proposals.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Draft language and sponsor plan finalized
0–30 daysA resolution or amendment text is ready with a target sponsor list.
- 2
Sign-on campaign launched
1–2 monthsCo-sponsors and allied organizations publicly endorse the lock-box posture.
- 3
Public vote or record forced
During sessionA vote or formal public commitment occurs and is documented.
- 4
Negotiation leverage applied
OngoingThe on-record posture is used to deter cut proposals and shape the solvency package.