Politics & Government
WATCH: Ellison Condemns Obama's Chained CPI Plan
The 5th District congressman said it puts unfair burdens on poor seniors and veterans.
Rep. Keith Ellison took his fight against chained CPI to MSNBC on Wednesday, criticizing the president’s plan to use the new inflation formula as a way to compromise with Republicans and resolve a budget impasse.
The so-called “chained consumer price index” would grow Social Security benefits at a slower rate than they grow under the current formula. The 5th District congressman argues that it amounts to a cut in benefits.
“The fact is the president is someone who I support and campaigned hard for. But it is not about the president,” Ellison said on MSNBC's NewsNation with Tamron Hall. “It is really about … low-income seniors struggling to get by on $12,000 a year. It’s about a person, a veteran, it is about Americans who depend upon a fair cost of living allowance and this particular proposal doesn't meet the test.”
Find out what's happening in Hopkinswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Check out the full interview in the player above and then share your thoughts in the comments section.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.