FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Doug McGinn June 30, 1999 (202) 225-3031 RYAN CALLS ON SENATE DEMOCRATS TO VOTE ON SOCIAL SECURITY "LOCK BOX" LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON - At a press conference today, First District Congressman Paul Ryan called on Senate Democrats to end their efforts blocking a vote on long-awaited legislation that would place a "Lock Box" on the Social Security Trust Fund. Senate Democrats have blocked the reform measure four times this year from coming to the floor for a full vote. The legislation would prevent the House and Senate from considering any legislation that would attempt to use the Social Security Trust Funds for any purpose other than Social Security. "This bill deserves a full vote in the Senate. While Social Security has been the most successful program to ever come out of Washington, many in the Senate continue to play shell games with the retirement security of millions of Americans."
"This legislation is a necessary first step to lock away 100 percent of all Social Security Trust funds," said Ryan, a cosponsor of the House passed version of the legislation. "Senate Democrats hope that by denying this legislation a vote it will simply go away. We will not allow them to get off that easy, nor will America's seniors and future retirees."
"This legislation is essential if we are to end the raid on the Social Security," said Ryan. "Just yesterday President Clinton finally succumbed to the realization that the time has come to make the Social Security "Lock Box" a reality. Considering this reversal, Senate Democrats are now free to end their efforts blocking the "Lock Box" legislation from being voted on. The President has freed them of their partisan constraints."
"This bill deserves a full vote in the Senate. While Social Security has been the most successful program to ever come out of Washington, many in the Senate continue to play shell games with the retirement security of millions of Americans. This legislation has been held hostage too long. It is time for an up or down vote."
"The difference is clear: we want to protect the paychecks of American workers and seniors, while Senate Democrats continue to avoid tough decisions. Rather than spending billions from the Social Security Trust Fund on new or expanded government programs with little accountability, lets do something responsible for the retirees of today and tomorrow."
Ryan has been a leader in the effort to pass Social Security "Lock Box" legislation. Ryan and House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich recently introduced legislation that would make it illegal to ever use any payroll taxes for anything but Social Security or Medicare. This bill will be up for consideration in the Senate tomorrow. Sixty votes (cloture) are needed to bring the measure up for a full vote.
For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Congressman Ryan, please contact Doug McGinn at (202) 225-3031.