Republicans across the country have spent the last few weeks having to defend their party’s plan that calls for sunsetting all federal legislation, including Medicare and Social Security, after five years – putting millions of seniors’ right to their hard-earned benefits at risk. Unsurprisingly, Americans across the battleground states are making their opposition to the plan known.

Here’s a look at some of the recent local coverage of the backlash to Republicans’ disastrous agenda: 

Michigan: WKZO: AUDIO: Michigan Democratic Party holds rally in Kalamazoo to protest “sunsetting” of Medicare and Social Security

“The Michigan Democratic Party hosted a press conference and rally in Kalamazoo on Tuesday, April 26 to push back on a Republican plan they say puts both Social Security and Medicare in jeopardy… Despite the cool and cloudy weather, they banded together to rally against what they say is a plan by the GOP to get Congress to sunset both Social Security and Medicare.”

Pennsylvania: WHTM: PA Democrats Blast GOP Plans

“Dauphin County Democrats took aim at Republican candidates for U.S. Senate. They say Republicans plan to cut Medicare and Social Security while raising taxes on seniors and workers.”

Pennsylvania: WGAL: Democrats Lambast Tax Plan of GOP Senators

“Democrats gathering at the state Capitol today to talk about the plans Republican Senate candidates hope to implement if elected. The chairwoman of Dauphin County Democrats was joined by Commissioner Shaela Ellis. They say Republicans would cut Social Security and Medicare benefits in Pennsylvania.”

Wisconsin: Up North News: Ron Johnson Thinks a GOP Plan for Tax Increases and the Potential End of Medicare and Social Security Is a ‘Positive Thing’

“Scott’s plan would also ‘sunset’ all federal legislation in five years, requiring Congress to re-authorize every federal law, including those governing Medicare and Social Security, which could end with Republicans—who have long sought to undermine the programs—ending Social Security for 1.3 million Wisconsinites and Medicare for 1.2 million state residents. Scott’s proposal could also lead to the end of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid—both of which Republicans have also been aggressively against.”

Florida: Palm Beach Post: Op-ed: Rick Scott tax plan bad news for retirees

“So imagine my surprise when I saw that Senator Rick Scott recently introduced a plan for the Republican Party that would raise taxes on nearly half of all Americans, forcing seniors and working class families to pay more when they file their taxes every year. His plan also includes provisions that could sunset Medicare and Social Security, jeopardizing the health care and retirement benefits that millions of Florida seniors have spent their entire lives earning.”

New Hampshire: Seacoastonline: Commentary: New Hampshire can’t trust Republicans on Social Security and Medicare

“This Republican agenda, proposed by National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Sen. Rick Scott and approved by Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, attacks seniors, disabled people, and families, while signaling future benefits for rich donors. Nearly every worker pays into Social Security, a safety net that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Medicare insures seniors and people with disabilities, allowing access to affordable health care.”

North Carolina: The Charlotte Post: Op-ed: North Carolina seniors can’t afford Republican control of government

“We should all be alarmed about the Republican Party’s agenda to sunset federal legislation like Social Security and Medicare. Like millions of North Carolinians, I rely on the Medicare and Social Security benefits that I spent my life paying into. Without Medicare, I would struggle to afford expensive medical bills for doctor visits and medications I need, and without Social Security, I wouldn’t get payments I rely on to pay bills.”

Wisconsin: Hudson Star-Observer: Opinion: New threat to retirees, disabled

“The Republican Party has a long and troubling history of working against Wisconsin families. And after unveiling their agenda for 2022, Republicans have added a new threat to Wisconsin retirees and disabled workers. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who leads their parties’ effort to flip the U.S. Senate, has introduced a platform that would sunset all federal legislation after five years – this includes Social Security and Medicare.”