Sen. Bernie Sanders today welcomed White House assurances that, unlike last year, President Barack Obama will not call for cuts in Social Security benefits as part of a budget blueprint that he will submit to Congress. “I applaud President Obama for his important decision to protect Social Security,” said Bernie, who founded the Senate’s Defending Social Security Caucus.

On Feb. 14, Bernie and 15 other senators sent a letter to the White House urging the president to spare Social Security in his budget for the coming fiscal year. Last year, the president proposed changing how the consumer price index is calculated to lower future cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients and disabled veterans.

“With the middle class struggling and more people living in poverty than ever before, we cannot afford to make life even more difficult for seniors and some of the most vulnerable people in America,” Bernie said.