Sean McCann Joins Jon “Bowzer” Bauman and Michigan Seniors to Fight for Social Security and Medicare

KALAMAZOO, MI — In case you missed it, Sean McCann and Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, President of Social Security Works PAC and member of Sha Na Na, held a roundtable with Allegan County seniors to discuss the importance of protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits for generations ahead.

The event comes as Sean McCann and Michigan seniors raise the alarm over Congressman Bill Huizenga’s record on Social Security and Medicare. Huizenga has repeatedly voted for budget proposals that would raise the Social Security retirement age and backed measures that critics warn could threaten retirement benefits.

“It was great spending time with Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, sharing some laughs and a whole lot of energy for protecting Social Security and Medicare,” said Sean McCann. “People work a lifetime for these benefits. Retirement should be about making memories, not making ends meet. Bill Huizenga wants a closed-door back room process to cut these benefits and make life harder for future generations to retire with dignity.”

McCann has a proven record of standing up for Michigan communities in the Michigan State Legislature, and when he is elected to Congress, he will keep fighting to protect these essential safety-net programs and lower costs for seniors.

REMINDER: SEAN’S RECORD ON PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY:

• Supported eliminating Michigan’s state income tax on Social Security benefits in 2025, helping retirees keep more of their hard-earned retirement income.

• Backed tax relief for working families and seniors, including proposals to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay.

• Pledged to protect Social Security benefits as part of his campaign for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District.

• Advocated for protecting Medicare alongside Social Security, emphasizing retirement security and affordable healthcare for seniors.

• Made lowering costs for middle-class families and retirees a campaign priority, including reducing tax burdens and healthcare expenses.

HUIZENGA’S RECORD ON ATTACKING SOCIAL SECURITY:

• Voted five times to raise the Social Security retirement age to 69 between 2011 and 2017, potentially forcing Americans to work longer to receive full benefits.

• Suggested younger Americans should work longer before retiring, calling for “adjustments” to Social Security eligibility and retirement age requirements.

• Voted for legislation critics warn could accelerate Social Security’s insolvency, including a law Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as creating a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.”

• Accepted a 2026 award from the 60 Plus Association, a group that publicly championed Social Security privatization.

• Helped establish the Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus and backed proposals critics warn could restrict access to Social Security trust fund reserves.

• Voted for a balanced-budget constitutional amendment in April 2018, despite concerns that such requirements could force cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

• Supported the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative, which cut Social Security Administration staffing and raised concerns about delays and reduced services for beneficiaries.

• Backed broader Republican budget priorities criticized by disability advocates, raising concerns about protections for Michiganders who depend on disability assistance.

• Faced criticism for repeatedly backing policies that could reduce future Social Security benefits, even as he publicly maintains that he wants to protect the program.

About Sean McCann:

Sean McCann has spent his career standing up to the powerful and on behalf of people in Southwest Michigan. From cracking down on slumlords to serving as a State Senator, Sean has fought to change broken systems. In the State Legislature, he stood up to polluters to protect Lake Michigan, and he cut taxes for working families.

Sean knows Washington is broken and he’ll fight for the change we need – banning members of Congress from trading stocks, negotiating for lower drug prices, and stopping massive tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, so we put hard-working people first.

Born and raised in Michigan, Sean attended Western Michigan University before serving as a Kalamazoo Commissioner, State Representative, and now State Senator for Southwest Michigan. Along the way, he’s earned a reputation among Democrats and Republicans alike as a serious problem-solver who works across the aisle and stands up for families trying to make ends meet.

As a husband and father raising his family in Michigan, Sean understands what’s at stake for working families. In Congress, he’ll bring the same work ethic, common sense, and determination he’s brought to public service throughout his career, and fight every day to make Washington work for people it’s supposed to serve.

About the race for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District:

MI-04 is one of the country’s key 2026 battlegrounds. The R+3 district has been named a top “Red to Blue” race by the DCCC and rated a toss-up by Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Cook Political Report has consistently moved this race in Democrats’ direction, calling the district “a bright spot for Democrats.” Poll after poll has shown Sean McCann leading Bill Huizenga, and McCann continues to post strong fundraising numbers.

According to Cook, Sean McCann’s State Senate seat (MI-19) “makes up about a third of the 4th District and includes 45% of the 4th’s primary electorate.” Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson each carried MI-04 with more than fifty percent of the vote in 2022.

MI-04 covers Southwest Michigan and includes the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and the outer suburbs of Grand Rapids including Ottawa County.

Sean has also received endorsements from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Senator Elissa Slotkin, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, former Congressman Mark Schauer, over 15 labor groups, and over 70 local elected officials and community leaders.

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