For decades, Central Virginia’s workers have paid into the Social Security and Medicare programs with the understanding that they were paying for retirement security later in life. I am wholly committed to protecting these programs and making sure they receive the urgent attention they deserve — especially at a time when many of my colleagues would like to gut these programs. I oppose any attempts to privatize these systems or to cut benefits. I am committed to ensuring their solvency and viability, and I will keep working to protect Social Security and Medicare, as well as expanding Medicare benefits, so we can meet our obligations to seniors, now and long into the future.