SACRAMENTO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein says Democrats must retake control of the House of Representatives next year or risk deep budget cuts that would hurt seniors and poor people the most.

The four-term senator from California told fellow Democrats on Saturday that conservatives and tea party followers are trying to dismantle America’s social and economic safety net. She addressed the state party’s annual convention in Sacramento.

Feinstein also slammed a budget proposal by Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin that would fundamentally restructure Medicare and cut social safety-net programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.

Feinstein called the plan “unfair, irresponsible and a non-starter in the Senate,” and vowed to fight it.

The popular senior senator is up for re-election next year and so far faces no serious opposition.

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