INDIANAPOLIS – On the eve of the final Indiana Senate debate, Rep. Braun still won’t deny he’ll cut Hoosiers’ Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, even when asked directly whether he supports Mitch McConnell’s post-election plan to gut these programs.

During an interview on WTHR that aired on Sunday, Rep. Braun was asked to address the “fear” millions of Hoosiers share about cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, especially in the wake of Mitch McConnell’s calls this month to gut those programs to offset the $1 trillion in debt added to the deficit by his tax plan. Instead of sticking up for Hoosier seniors and putting their fears to rest, Rep. Braun dodged the question and failed to say whether he’d split with McConnell in this instance, let alone if he’d ever stand up for Hoosiers’ Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Rep. Braun’s unwillingness to defend Hoosiers’ Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid isn’t surprising, however. Well before McConnell’s recent comments, Rep. Braun had repeatedly made clear he’s willing to put these programs on the chopping block. At last February’s primary debate, he called for “hard decisions” to be made on Social Security and Medicare benefits, and he told AARP members during a tele-townhall in September that he was interested in reducing Social Security and Medicare benefits by raising the retirement age.

“On the eve of the final Senate debate, it’s clearer than ever to Hoosiers that all they’ll hear from Rep. Braun about their Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security is his continued dogwhistle of support for gutting the retirement that they’ve earned,” said Michael Feldman, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party. “Rep. Braun has been given every opportunity to quiet Hoosiers’ fears that he’ll help Mitch McConnell make massive cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. Every time he refuses, he simply reminds voters that he doesn’t believe they’re entitled to the programs that they’ve spent their lives paying into.”

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