FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2023

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Sarah Bell | press@fairnessforiowa.org

Representative Zach Nunn makes claims about Social Security, Medicare that don’t add up

Des Moines, Iowa — Representative Zach Nunn took to social media recently to peddle dishonest claims that he protects  Social Security and Medicare and would “ensure no politician plays games” with the programs. The truth is, Nunn took multiple votes that would undermine access to these critical programs. He even introduced legislation that would lead to massive cuts to these programs, making it harder for seniors to access the benefits they earned.

More than 661,000 Iowans are enrolled in Medicare benefits, while 677,000 Iowans receive Social Security benefits, and Iowans need leaders who work to protect these benefits, not threaten to take them away.

“Zach Nunn can run from the truth, but he can’t hide from his record,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Rep. Nunn continues to ignore the needs of Iowans. Instead he voted for extreme measures that would harm working people and seniors. Those aren’t Iowa values. Iowans need Congress to protect and expand the benefits they’ve paid into and earned. Their hard work demands better than dishonest claims from the Congressman.”

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Fairness for Iowa is a statewide grassroots campaign to uplift the stories of hard-working Iowans. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable. Our coalition includes Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 61, Health Care for America Now, Lower Drug Prices Now Iowa, Iowa Main Streets and Country Roads, and Progress Iowa.

Comment:

Representative Nunn is hardly the only one. The whole Iowa delegation shares his distorted views that Social Security and Medicare are huge drains on our government. What Nunn and others are only concerned about is that the morbidly wealthy who now pay little in taxes may have to pay a few more dollars in taxes to keep these programs viable.

One of the best moves that would help make Medicare viable would be to end Medicare Advantage.

One thing that would keep Social Security viable would be to end the cap on income that can be taxed for Social Security. I believe it is now capped at $160,000/ year. Of course that would also necessitate having a way to honestly calculate income for America’s wealthiest citizens. 

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