Privatization 

Several key House Democrats today stood with representatives from 150 women's organizations vowing to be a "firewall" in the way of President Bush's proposal to partially privatize Social Security. Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, a member of House Democratic leadership, along with Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee ranking member Robert Matsui, D-Calif., and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., argued that women would face particular hardships if private accounts displaced traditional Social Security benefits. Matsui reiterated the Democrats' call for a debate and vote on GOP-backed privatization proposals before the election and not delay action until next year. He also called on Bush to work in a bipartisan manner with legislators and said Bush will need to "revisit" his tax cut and budget assumptions since Social Security funds are being used for general funding needs.