The United Autoworkers union on Saturday sent out an action alert to members urging them to sign a petition to President Obama to stop an emerging White House deficit deal.

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE (R-Ohio) have discussed a $4 trillion deficit reduction package that could include cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits. Congressional leaders will come to the bargaining table Sunday night to discuss the outlines of a grand bargain that includes a raising of the national debt limit before Aug. 2.

“It's sickening to think that millions of seniors would have to sacrifice in order to appease Republican hostage-takers. Especially because every poll shows overwhelming majority of Americans support raising taxes on the rich and protecting Social Security and Medicare,” the UAW alert states.

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It urges members to act because any compromise deal will need House Democrats to vote for it since many Tea Party backed GOP members either will not vote for a debt limit increase, or will only do so if a balanced budget amendment passes.

“But there's still time to stop this "bargain" in its tracks. Whatever deal the president offers Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass Congress. So we need Democrats in Congress to stand strong and oppose any benefit cuts to Social Security and Medicare,” the UAW states.

It urges members to sign a petition already being circulated by MoveOn.org.

Sarah Lane of MoveOn.org warned this week that 76 percent of her members have said they would be less likely to donate to or volunteer for Obama if he cuts Social Security.

AARP on Thursday also circulated a similar petition and the Strengthen Social Security Campaign has targeted next Thursday, July 14, as a day to flood Congress with calls opposing the proposal. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security will be out with a new advertisement campaign by mid-week.



