Daily Debunker

June 1, 2005

House Republicans will make a huge mistake of they leave a battered Social Security system unreformed, as appears to be the case in this article from the Hill:

"House Republican leaders are aiming to pass many bills this summer, but Social Security reform is not one of them.

"In an e-mail sent to GOP aides and lobbyists late last week, House Majority Whip Roy Blunt's (R-Mo.) office outlined its list of "priority legislation" on the post-Memorial Day calendar. The list includes gun-manufacturer liability, postal reform and the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

"Social Security reform was notably absent from the detailed list of legislative items.

"As House GOP leaders roll out the summer schedule, the chances of an overhaul of the popular retirement program remain a major question mark. The e-mail from Blunt's office was far from binding, but it illustrates the uncertainty that still accompanies an entitlement overhaul as Republican leaders in both chambers plan to unveil reform packages later this summer."

The risks associated with doing nothing to fix this invaluable retirement program are extraordinary. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) estimates the "do nothing" option will cost taxpayers and recipients of benefit roughly $600 billion every year.

Worse, after dedicating so much time and energy toward convincing Americans Social Security is "in a crisis," Republicans in Congress will leave themselves vulnerable to sever political punishment if they then refuse to do anything to fix it.

Majority Whip Roy Blunt does not speak for House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas. And Bill Thomas would be wise to keep Social Security on the front burner of Congress' agenda this summer.