Protect Social Security, Medicaid & Medicare

A Promise We Have to Keep

My grandfather died when my mom was just nine years old. That left my grandmother—Pauline Valentine—to raise her kids on her own. She worked hard every day to make ends meet, never asking for much, never slowing down. For years, she carried the weight of her family on her back.

When she was finally able to retire, it wasn’t because she hit the lottery or had a big savings account. It was because of Social Security.

That monthly check gave her stability. It gave her rest. It gave her the dignity she had earned through a lifetime of sacrifice.

That’s what Social Security is. It’s not a handout. It’s a promise we make to one another: If you work hard and play by the rules, your country will be there for you when you need it.

The same is true for Medicare and Medicaid. These programs make sure seniors can afford medicine, low-income kids can see a doctor, and people with disabilities can live with support and care. They’re not extras—they’re essentials.

I’m running for Congress because I believe we must protect these programs and keep them strong for everyone who needs them.

But right now, that promise is under attack.

Some politicians talk about cutting Social Security, raising the retirement age, or shrinking Medicare. They act like these are just numbers on a page. But they’re not. They’re lifelines—for people like my grandmother, for families across Arkansas, for all of us.

Here’s what I believe:

• We must fully protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—no cuts, no delays, no tricks.

• We should strengthen and expand these programs to meet the needs of today’s families.

• And we need to stop playing politics with people’s health and well-being.

These programs have lifted millions of people out of poverty. They’ve kept families stable in tough times. They’re among the most successful things our government has ever done.

As a pastor, I’ve been with people in their final days—people who lived longer, healthier lives because of Medicare. I’ve sat with young moms who relied on Medicaid to get care for their babies. I’ve seen the difference these programs make—not in theory, but in real life.

They’re not just safety nets. They’re expressions of what we value: care, dignity, stability.

So let’s keep our promise. Let’s protect these programs for today’s seniors—and tomorrow’s. Let’s make sure Social Security is still there for your family, just like it was for mine.

Because no one should grow old in fear. And no one who works hard their whole life should be left behind.

Pauline Valentine didn’t ask for much. Just a little help, after a lifetime of giving. That’s what these programs are for. And I’ll fight every day to keep them strong.