FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 04, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Democratic Leaders Pelosi and Reid Urge President Bush to Participate in a National Town Hall on Social Security

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid sent the following letter to President Bush today, inviting him to participate in a National Town Hall on Social Security, to hear all sides of the debate.  Democrats have been traveling across the country listening to the concerns of their constituents about Social Security privatization, holding hundreds of open town hall meetings.  The Democratic Leaders would like to work with the President to ensure that he too, hears from those who oppose privatization, not just handpicked participants who support his plan.

Below is the text of the letter:

April 4, 2005

Honorable George W. Bush

President

The White House

Washington, DC  20500

Dear President Bush:

We are writing today to discuss with you directly our views on the ongoing debate over Social Security and your continuing efforts to sell your plan to privatize the system. 

As you may know, throughout this entire session of Congress including this most recent Congressional recess, we and the members of our Caucuses have traveled throughout our states and districts, talking directly to the American people about Social Security and our concerns about privatization.  We have heard from our constituents and Americans from all across the country that they are concerned that the deep benefit cuts and massive new debt required by your privatization proposal will do more to dismantle the Social Security system than strengthen it.

As we have watched you and members of your administration travel throughout the country on your “60 Stops in 60 Days” Tour, we have seen and heard numerous accounts indicating that your events have been carefully staged and scripted to ensure that you will only hear from handpicked participants who support your privatization plan.  Despite your statements that you welcome hearing all views on this important issue, it seems increasingly clear that the vast majority of Americans who oppose your privatization plan are excluded from participating in the conversation. 

We believe it is critical to hear voices from all sides of the debate to ensure that the positions we take and the decisions we make truly reflect the national interest. 

Therefore, as you reach the mid-point of this sixty day tour, we would like to invite you to participate in a National Town Hall on Social Security privatization.  We would work with you and your staff to ensure that members of the general public would be invited so that you could hear first hand the concerns most Americans have about your privatization plan and its deep benefit cuts and massive debt increases.

We hope that you will join us for this conversation with the American people.

Sincerely,

NancyPelosi                                        Harry Reid

House Democratic Leader                    Senate Democratic Leader

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi