JACKSON - Today Congressman Mark Schauer's (D-MI) campaign announced an endorsement from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), the nation's second-largest senior advocacy organization. The letter from NCPSSM's President and CEO Barbara B. Kennelly says Schauer, "earned the endorsement of the National Committee because you understand and support the critical roles that Social Security and Medicare play in the retirement and health security of our nation's older citizens and their families."

"I'm proud to have the support of the National Committee, and I'm committed to protecting Social Security and Medicare for today's seniors and tomorrow's retirees," said Schauer. "The choice in this election couldn't be more clear. While Tim Walberg supports a radical plan to privatize Social Security and eliminate Medicare as we know it, I'll keep fighting to protect guaranteed retirement and health care benefits for Michigan seniors."

Last month, Congressman Schauer signed a pledge to fight any attempt to privatize Social Security or cut the program's guaranteed retirement benefits. Tim Walberg has said he supports a budget plan introduced by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) that would privatize Social Security and turn Medicare into a private voucher program. [Adrian Daily Telegram, 8/15/10; Battle Creek Enquirer, 9/9/10]

A recent study conducted by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found that Rep. Ryan's budget plan, "would actually increase the deficit by $1.3 trillion by 2020 because it doesn't take into account $4 trillion in lost tax revenue. Ryan disputes the calculations behind those numbers but says he'd be willing to increase taxes to fix any shortfalls." [Time, 9/4/10]

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare was founded in 1982 to serve as an advocate for the landmark federal programs of Social Security and Medicare and for all Americans who seek a healthy, productive and secure retirement.