SOUTH DAKOTA(WNAX)- A number of Congressional republicans, including South Dakota Senator John Thune, have brought up the possibility of using Social Security as a bargaining chip over the federal budget and debt ceiling.

South Dakota AARP State Director Erik Gaikowski says the program shouldn’t be part of political manuvering.

Gaikowski says over one hundred ninety thousand people in the state get Social Security payments.

Gaikowski says they would prefer to see Congress work together on the future of Social Security.

Social Security may come into play next year when republicans take control of the US House.