Republicans Speak Out Against Bush Social Security Proposals
March 17, 2005
Oppose Privatization of Social Security...
Senator Coleman: "I don't support privatizing Social Security and I'll fight against anybody who would do that." (Norm Coleman for Senate Campaign commercial, 2002)
Senator Talent: "I'm not going to vote to privatize Social Security." (Jim Talent for Senate Campaign commercial, 2002)
Senator Specter: "At one time I had considered a small portion of Social Security in
private accounts provided that it was under private management and only a small portion to emphasize that security aspect. But as I looked more deeply into the issue and
found that it would create a 1 trillion dollar diversion and also because of the volatility of
the stock market I think it is unwise. I believe that seniors sought to be reassured that
their Social Security benefits are solid." (General Election Debate, 10/22/04)
Senator Snowe: "I'm certainly not going to support diverting $2 trillion from Social Security into creating personal savings accounts." (Inside Politics Sunday, 1/23/05)
Senator Chafee: "As far as addressing personal accounts, I think that if we do it separately such as Kids Save as George McGovern proposed it back in the early '70s, put
some government money into a program that's going to eventually yield dividends, but
the big problem with private accounts is it's an up-front cost, a huge up-front cost, and
also there's a risk." (Meet the Press, 3/13/05)
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Rep. Jeb Bradley (NH): "In 2002, I opposed privatization, and I remain opposed to privatization." (Portsmouth Herald, 2/17/05)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (NY): "I've never been a gambler...so I don't want to gamble
with Social Security trust fund moneys. And so I am very, very skeptical of the so-called plans to privatize. And I think a disservice is being done to a great many Americans by sort of sounding the alarm that everything's going to hell in a handbasket and
we're going to be broke by 2018. That simply is not so." (WAMC Radio, 1/20/05)
Rep. Chris Chocola (IN): "I do not support the privatization of Social Security." (South
Bend Tribune, 09/03/02)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO): "I cannot support any plan to allow workers to place any
portion of their Social Security taxes in risky investments, especially those that depend
upon the stock market to appreciate in value...It remains my opinion that Social Security
reform is not necessary at all if Congress would seriously address Medicare reform, balance the budget, erase the trade deficit, and make pension reform a real priority."
(Washington Post, 2/12/05)
Rep. James Gerlach (PA): "State Sen. James W. Gerlach, the Republican nominee,
said Wednesday that he had stated his opposition to privatizing Social Security more
than a month ago." (Associated Press State & Local Wire, 7/24/02)
Rep. Virgil Goode (VA): "I am negatively inclined toward the private, personal accounts
paid for out of Social Security employer and employee taxes." (Washington Post,
2/24/05)
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (TX): "I strongly oppose privatizing Social Security." (www.jebforcongress.org)
Rep. Tom Latham (IA): "Congressman Latham also never has, or will, vote to privatize
Social Security." (Press Release, 11/4/02)
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (MI): "McCotter, 36, says he supports prescription drug coverage under Medicare, which will focus on constituent services, he also favors tax cuts
and smaller government, and opposes individual investment accounts within Social Security." (Detroit News, 7/29/02)
Rep. Jim Nussle (IA): "I am opposed to privatizing Social Security...We must do more
to encourage savings, investment and growth so our seniors can be secure in their retirement." (Des Moines Register, 10/23/02)
Rep. Steve Pearce (NM): Pearce is "unequivocally opposed to the privatization of Social Security citing the need to maintain the benefit level for all qualified recipients."
(Pearce Press Release, 9/06/02)
Rep. Chip Pickering (MS): "Let me be perfectly clear -- I oppose privatizing Social
Security, and anyone who tells you differently is simply not telling the truth." (Pickering
television ad, according to Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 10/16/02)
Rep. Jon Porter (NV): "Porter supported the idea while running for Congress two
years ago but is now `adamantly opposed' to allowing people to invest part of their Social Security retirement in private investment accounts." (Associated Press State & Local Wire, 10/19/02)
Rep. Clay Shaw (FL): "I do not favor privatizing any of the wage taxes currently going
into Social Security...I do not favor taking a dime out of the existing system...That would
only make things more difficult." (New York Times, 5/1/03)
Rep. John Shimkus (IL): "He said he would oppose any proposal that would allow for
Social Security revenues, including payroll taxes, to be invested in the stock market."
(Copley News Service, 8/13/02)
Rep. Rob Simmons (CT): "You don't privatize a public program. This was a program
designed to provide a minimum guarantee...You start diverting Social Security revenues
and you're going to impact benefits." (Associated Press, 1/10/05)
Rep. Charles Taylor (NC): "I will oppose any plan to privatize social security." (2002
AARP candidate questionnaire)
Rep. Mike Turner (OH): "Rep. Mike Turner of Dayton said he opposed any plan that
would divert money from the Social Security system to open private accounts." (Associated Press, 2/18/05)
Rep. Heather Wilson (NM): "I oppose privatization of our safety net." (Associated
Press State and Local Wire, 10/22/02)
Rep. C.W. Bill Young (FL): "I'm not going to support anything that makes Social Security subject to the stock market...I have always been very careful to make a decision regardless of politics. I don't think a decision should be made based on whether you support the president or don't support the president." (St. Petersberg Times, 1/31/05)
Rep. Don Young (AK): "I'm not overly confident the average American knows how to
invest in stocks...I don't want Wall Street involved in this." (Anchorage Daily News,
2/1/05)
Oppose Cutting Social Security Benefits...
Senator Talent: "Talent said he would never vote to end, privatize, or cut Social Security. He said individual accounts are possible without any of those steps." (St. Louis Post
Dispatch, 10/22/02)
Senator Allen: "Many Americans have relied on the promise made to them that Social
Security benefits would be there for them when they retire, and the government must
honor that promise. If the fund is in distress, the government has an obligation to maintain benefits with general-fund revenues if required." (Richmond Times Dispatch,
10/29/00)
Senator Voinovich: "My first priority as a U.S. senator would be to protect Social Security and Medicare for Ohio's families, seniors and future generations. Social Security
and Medicare are sacred trusts between the federal government and every American.
People need to know that their future is not in jeopardy, and that the federal government
will maintain its commitment to these programs first." (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/12/98)
Senator Alexander: "I wouldn't vote for any proposal that undermines the Social Security benefit." (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10/18/02)
Senator Alexander: "In the votes that I'd cast, I would never vote to undermine the
benefits that people have a right to expect. I regard it as a sacred trust. You pay your
money in, you get your money back." (Associated Press, 11/1/02)
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Rep. Bob Beauprez (CO): "I'm opposed to reducing benefits." (Rocky Mountain News,
8/28/02)
Rep. Shirley Moore Capito (WV): "There are a lot of proposals out on the table, and
I've said repeatedly I will look at fixes to the problem, but I'm not going to be looking at
a fix that will raise our taxes, that will lower our benefits and that will raise our retirement
age."
Rep. Steve Chabot (OH): "Rep. Steve Chabot of Cincinnati said he would have `serious concerns about proposals that reduce benefits or raise taxes.'" (Associated Press,
2/3/05)
Rep. Nancy Johnson (CT): "Nancy is committed to strengthening and preserving Social Security and preventing any reduction in benefits or payroll tax increases."
(http://www.johnsonforcongress.com/Seniors_Issues.htm, 11/03/02)
Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ): "Renzi is guided by four principals regarding Social Security...He is opposed to cutting benefits, raising the age of retirement, privatization and increasing payroll taxes." (Arizona Daily Sun, 10/20/02)
Rep. Mike Rogers (AL): "He promised to protect Social Security, saying he `won't vote
for any plan that privatizes Social Security, raises the Social Security tax, raises the retirement age or erodes benefits.'" (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, 10/13/02)
Oppose Massive Borrowing...
Senator Chafee: "It's the wrong time and I regret that we're looking at this in the context of huge deficits." (Associated Press, 12/7/04)
Senator Thomas: "Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., said the federal government may not
be `financially able' to take on the expense of the private savings plan, which he pegged
at $2 trillion. Thomas said it does not make good financial sense to reduce the amount
of money flowing into the Social Security trust fund at a time when payouts to baby
boomers are projected to increase." (Jackson Hole News and Guide, 3/3/05)
