LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lawmakers across the country, especially GOP, have been feeling the wrath of citizens who are concerned that the so-called "safety net programs," such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, could see major cutbacks.
28/22 News -I-team reporter Andy Mehalshick reached out to federal lawmakers who represent northeastern Pennsylvania for comment on these concerns.
We heard from two areas GOP congressmen who insist that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will not be cut, but that waste and fraud in those programs will be slashed.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is setting its sights on every federal department and agency to find waste, fraud, and abuse.
Recent comments made by Elon Musk, who heads DOGE, have raised fears that the safety net programs of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, will be cutback and will impact the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the programs for their financial survival.
Musk pointed to a 2024 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that the entire federal government could be losing as much as $520,000,000,000 annually to fraud and that Social Security has to be looked at very closely for potential cutbacks.
Residents rally in Wyoming County for Medicare, Medicaid
Congressman Rob Bresnahan, who represents the eighth district, issued this statement to the I-Team regarding potential cutbacks and ongoing protests across the nation:
"President Trump has stated over and over and over and over that Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security will not be touched. Despite this, far-left extremists funded by billionaires like the Soros family continue perpetuating lies that do nothing but instill fear in our most vulnerable populations. While I expect these disgusting tactics from political extremists, the media—currently experiencing historically low levels of trust among Americans — has an obligation to refrain from continuing to fuel this disinformation campaign."
Congressman Rob Bresnahan
Fellow Republican Congressman Dan Meuser, who represents the ninth district, also insists that these safety net programs will not be cut and reacted to the protest Monday in Wyoming County:
"Our office takes pride in being accessible to the people of Pennsylvania. We regularly hold events throughout the district and beyond, meet with constituents, and ensure that our staff is available to assist with their concerns. Unfortunately, this protest is yet another example of a national, left-wing organization attempting to spread falsehoods and create disruption rather than engage in constructive dialogue.These protests, backed by outside interests like the ‘Indivisible’ movement and financially supported by George Soros, are not about voicing genuine local concerns, but rather about advancing a partisan agenda. As we’ve seen with similar protests across the country, these demonstrations are often orchestrated by outside groups with the sole purpose of creating chaos and spreading misleading claims. One of their latest falsehoods is that we are cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, which is simply not true—no matter how many times they say it, it doesn’t make it factual.We remain focused on serving the hardworking people of our district by addressing real concerns, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government, and advancing policies that strengthen our economy. While others engage in political theatrics, we will continue doing the job we were elected to do—delivering results for the people of Pennsylvania’s Ninth District."
Republican Representative of Pennsylvania’s Ninth District Dan Meuser
28/22 News also reached out to Republican Senator Dave McCormick and Democrat Senator John Fetterman for comment and have not yet heard back from them.
