Nikki Haley, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, proposes changes should be made to entitlement programs for younger generations, which some think can only lead to cutting Medicare and Social Security programs for older generations.
Haley made her first campaign stop in South Carolina and hosted a rally on Monday in Myrtle Beach. During her address to the audience, she promised that the benefits of older folks won’t be touched, assuring her supporters “we’re not taking it from seniors” or “anyone who’s been promised anything.” Haley mentioned her own parents, who are in their 80s, and that she didn’t want their benefits messed with.
She then mentioned her two children, in their 20s, as part of the generation in need of altered benefits. “Those are the ones,” she said, “we tell the rules have changed.” Haley said “anyone new coming in this system” needs to be informed that entitlement benefits are “not going to be there for you anyway because Social Security goes bankrupt in 10 years” and Medicare “in five.”
During his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden, who has promised to defend entitlement benefits programs, said that “some Republicans” want to see such programs “sunset,” which received boos and jeers in response. Democrats cite Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott’s proposed plan to let the programs run dry, although he changed his plan to exempt entitlement benefits after Biden’s address.
Former President Donald Trump vowed to keep the programs intact, and said on Monday in Davenport, Iowa, that he will not cut Medicare or Social Security.
Haley also proposed an elevation of retirement age to match life expectancy, although she hasn’t specified what age. She also wants “to limit the benefits for the wealthy” in her entitlement reform, and expand Medicare Advantage.
Since launching her campaign, Haley is currently the only real contender to go up against Trump for the Republican nomination, although it’s looking more and more like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will enter the race soon.
