New Faces in Congress Could Affect Social Security Reform

December 9, 2000

Congressional committees will see new chairman in the coming Congress, changes that could affect the prospects for Social Security reform. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) will become chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Social Security. Grassley is a supporter of reform based on personal retirement accounts and a co-sponsor of S.1383, the Bipartisan Social Security Reform Act of 1999, which is also supported by Senators Breaux, Kerrey, Thomas, and Thompson. The ranking Democratic Senator will be Max Baucus of Montana, who has yet to take a prominent role in the Social Security debate.

In the House, control of the Ways and Means Committee could go to one of three Republican Members. Phil Crane of Illinois, Bill Thomas of California and Clay Shaw of Florida are all vying for the chair. All three are supportive of reform based on personal accounts, though Shaw's reform legislation, co-sponsored with current chairman Bill Archer (R-TX), has come in for criticism from many in the reform community. (For details, see "The Archer-Shaw Social Security Plan: Laying the Groundwork for Another S&L Crisis," by Andrew G. Biggs.) Democrat Charlie Rangel of New York is expected to remain as ranking Member.

2001 Index | 2000 Index | 1999 Index | 1998 Index