Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says cuts to Social Security should not be a part of any deficit reduction package used to avoid what's being called the looming "fiscal cliff" of automatic spending cuts and tax increases slated to take effect January first.
Sanders is a member of the Senate Budget Committee. He renewed his calls Monday for the wealthy to pay their fair share toward deficit reduction.
President Barack Obama and Congress have only a few weeks to figure out how to avert automatic cuts to defense and domestic programs totaling $110 billion next year. Bush-era tax cuts would also expire.
Sanders says he's also hoping the Senate will change the filibuster rule that in many cases requires a 60-vote majority to pass legislation.
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