Seeking to protect a program roughly 50 million Americans rely on, a group of senators introduced legislation on Thursday to stave off cuts to Medicare.

Led by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), the Medicare Protection Act would amend the Congressional Budget Act to prevent provisions restricting eligibility to or reducing benefits to Medicare

"We’ve seen an irresponsible few in Washington try to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors by recklessly voting to turn Medicare into a voucher system and raise the eligibility age for benefits," Pryor stated.

Among the legislation's co-sponsors is Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who stated, "Millions of seniors rely on Medicare to pay for critical health care services, and we should not cut these essential benefits for people who need them most."

"Cutting benefits will not stop people from getting sick, it will only shift more of the cost of health care onto our seniors. We should be focused on bringing down the costs of health care, not slashing benefits for people who need care. I'm pleased to support the Medicare Protection Act, which will help protect older Americans from irresponsible benefits cuts and efforts to turn Medicare into a voucher program," Warren stated.

__________________