POL327
Interest Groups’ Impact
The news has recently focused on Social Security-related worries as the midterm elections get
near. It is no knowledge that Social Security benefits are declining and will run out by 2034.
Both those who currently receive Social Security payments and the industrious Citizens who
contribute to the program each year are concerned about this. Democrats and Republicans have
addressed the issue in Parliament and throughout their administrations, but it appears that not
much is being done to cut spending. Since 1982, the National Organization to Save Social
Security & Medicare (NCPSSM) has battled to preserve the rights of American seniors. John
Roosevelt, the son of former president Franklin D. Roosevelt, who first signed the Social
Security Act into law, formed NCPSSM. According to the NCPSSM's statement of purpose
(President's Message, 2018), they are committed to "protecting, preserving, promoting, and
ensuring the financial stability, health, including well of present and future generations of
maturing Americans."
The vast majority of the money for the nongovernmental organization comes from a direct mail
fundraising campaign. NCPSSM hosts gatherings with Democratic politicians throughout the
nation and engages in federal lobbying. The organization has a long history of successfully
influencing congressional politics for the better. The NCPSSM regularly submits letters to
Congress and the White House in favor or opposing proposals that would affect the retirement
security of American seniors both now and in the future. At hearings before House and Senate
bodies, the president, chief executive officer, and political advisers often provide knowledgeable
testimony. In order to discuss the country's budgetary issues, President Obama and other national
officials met with NCPSSM President/CEO Max Richtman at the White House in 2012. Later
that year, in opposition to President Obama's proposal to reduce Social Security payments
through the Chained CPI, the National Committee submitted more than 2 million petitions to the
White House. The NCPSSM was able to stop a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment
reduction from being included in the fiscal cliff legislation in 2013. The group is continuing with
its lobbying, demonstrations, and democratic alignments since they have appeared to be
successful in protecting Social Security and Medicare. In the 117th Congress, the National
Committee has introduced four items of law, and their civic engagement will persist.
References:
President’s Message. (2018, September 5). NCPSSM. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from
https://www.ncpssm.org/about-us/presidents-message/
Accomplishments of. (2022, August 21). NCPSSM. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from
https://www.ncpssm.org/about-us/accomplishments-of-ncpssm/
undefined [NationalCommittee]. (2008, June 16). National Committee to Preserve Social
Security and Medicare—Then and Now [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 9, 2022,
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fOBa3d-6us
