–Senate Majority Leader Takes Hard Line Against Soc Sec Overhaul
–Sen. Reid: Soc Sec Hasn’t Added ‘One Penny’ To Deficit or Debt
–Sen. Reid: GOP Warnings About Soc Sec Woes Are An ‘Outright Lie’
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Monday said
that overhauling Social Security should not be part of the broader
effort to combat rising federal budget deficits.
Social Security, Reid said, is the “most successful social program
in the history of the world.”
He added that Social Security “has not contributed one penny to the
deficit or debt,” during its 75-year history.
Reid made his remarks at a “Tell Republicans to Back off Social
Security,” event which he helped organize.
Reid said Republican claims that Social Security is heading toward
eventual bankruptcy are an “outright lie.”
The Senate Majority Leader said the Social Security program is in
“great shape” financially.
In many ways, Reid’s comments represent standard Democratic
language about Social Security.
However, they take on more weight given that House Republicans are
preparing to release a new multi-year budget which is expected to call
for reform of key entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare
and Medicaid.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said several weeks ago
that he believes the time is right both fiscally and politically for
major entitlement reform.
“I firmly believe that American people are ready for this,” Ryan
said.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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