Here’s what’s not up for debate: Social Security and Medicare are in financial trouble, and the nation’s debt is on an unsustainable trajectory. Spending on Social Security and Medicare is projected to soar as the nation ages, putting more pressure on Congress to address the programs. Advocates’ concernsAdvocates, however, argue that lawmakers can hide behind the debt commission and avoid taking individual blame for agreeing to benefit cuts. “The new speaker has made it clear he’s not a friend to seniors, Social Security or Medicare,” said Max Richtman, CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “So if you want to keep Social Security solid, you have to do all that stuff and a lot more.”This story has been updated with additional information.

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Persons: Mike Johnson, shivers, Johnson, Here’s what’s, ”, That’ll, it’s, Max Richtman, “, Joe Biden, Biden, Charles Blahous, ” Blahous Organizations: CNN, Social Security, Republican, Medicare, Congressional, Office, American Enterprise Institute, National Committee, Preserve Social Security, George Mason University, Committee, RSC