on vulnerable populations, including lower-income workers and people already significantly dependent on program benefits. (3) Social Security and Medicare are meant to provide a secure and stable base so that older Americans can live in dignity. (4) Protecting the future surpluses of these trust funds can only occur when meaningful reform has been enacted by Congress. Any path to solvency must include the protection of future surpluses. 2. Interim protections for Social Security trust fund surplus Section 201(d) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 402(d) ) is amended— (1) by striking It shall be the duty and inserting (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be the duty