About three dozen retirees and workers who provide services to seniors and the disabled protested the U.S. debt deadlock at Sen. Mark Kirk's capital office Friday.

They chanted slogans like, "Show some guts; stop the cuts."

The protesters fear Congress and President Barack Obama won't agree on a debt-ceiling increase by Tuesday and the U.S. will default on its debts. They say that will mean cuts to Social Security and government health care.

Darlene Edwards is a retired nurse. She says one-third of America's elderly survives on Social Security income.

Pete Roberts is director of the Springfield Center for Independent Living. He says he understands the tight budget but says the rich should pay higher taxes.

Kirk is a Republican. The GOP disagrees with Democrat Obama on a debt-ceiling increase.