BIDDEFORD — On Tuesday, as U.S. senators in Washington, D.C. were voting in favor of legislation to increase the amount the federal government can borrow ”“ just hours before a deadline that would have forced a default on the national debt ”“ a small group of area residents descended on U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s Main Street office to voice their concerns about the bill, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama later that day.

The group, mainly made up of senior citizens, was most concerned about the future of Social Security and Medicare. Several members of the group held signs reading, “Don’t destroy Medicare and Social Security.”

“These programs shouldn’t be touched,” said Caitlin MacIver of Wells. “It’s not charity,” she said. “It’s called an entitlement because we’re entitled to it, because we paid into it.”

As part of the negotiated agreement, the legislation that lifts the government’s debt ceiling by $400 billion immediately, and an assured $500 billion in the fall, also establishes a bipartisan committee to draft legislation for up to $1.5 trillion in deficit cuts over the coming decade, scheduled to be voted on later this year.

No federal programs are assured of remaining unscathed in this process, including both Social Security and Medicare.

Cuts to either of those programs could have a significant negative impact on a number of Maine seniors, said Rev. Jim Anderson from Kennebunk, who organized Tuesday’s protest. He said he knows Maine residents who survive on only $600 Social Security checks.

“Living on faith is one thing,” said the minister, “but it’s nice to have something to eat.” 

“I blame our own president” for the threat to these programs, said Paul Kussmann from Waterboro. “He has not been consistent in his message.”

Although Obama advocated a balanced approach of increased tax revenue as well as spending cuts, the legislation passed Tuesday does not include new taxes. The president did say he would like Congress to work on “reforming our tax code so that the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations pay their fair share.”

Peter Morin, an aide to the senator based in the Biddeford office, said because of the significant national interest on this issue, he was submitting hourly reports to the Washington, D.C. office with constituents’ concerns and opinions.

Both Maine senators, Snowe and Susan Collins, voted in favor of the legislation that increases the debt ceiling and cuts the deficit.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.