The Hill News

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) praised President Obama Thursday for reportedly considering cuts to Medicare and Social Security as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

"I want to take this moment to commend President Obama for facing the facts that in order for us to bring our fiscal house in order, we need to take necessary steps to address mandatory spending such as Medicare and Social Security," West said in a statement.

"For too long individuals and special interests groups have used these programs to demagogue and scare seniors in order to gain a political advantage. President Obama says he finally realizes that to save these programs we need to make significant reforms, and I support his goals," West continued.

The praise for Obama is rare for West, who has been critical of the president since joining Congress this year. 

In a meeting Thursday at the White House, President Obama will reportedly urge lawmakers to embrace! major spending cuts to Medicare and Social Security as part of a deficit reduction deal, according to a report in The Washington Post.

Obama could also ask top lawmakers to support a package that would cut the deficit by $4 trillion over the next 10 years.

If Obama does push for cutting Medicare and Social Security spending, he risks aggravating members of his own party who have voiced strong opposition to touching the programs. Many Democrats say Social Security is not contributing to the deficit and should not be part of a debt deal.