FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Doug McGinn September 29, 1999 (202) 225-3031 RYAN VOWS TO VOTE DOWN SPENDING BILLS THAT RAID SOCIAL SECURITY
WASHINGTON - First District Congressman Paul Ryan today vowed that he would vote against any bill coming before Congress if it raids Social Security to finance non-related programs. Recent reports have surfaced that House and Senate budget negotiators are entertaining an agreement with the White House to dip into the Social Security Trust Fund to finance the cost of new or expanded programs. "The line is drawn. The raid on Social Security must stop. To do so, both the President and Congress must show leadership."
As a member of the House Budget Committee, Ryan crafted provisions in the FY2000 federal budget that would lock away every penny of Social Security from being used to fund other programs. While President Clinton has publicly hailed the surpluses that resulted from the historic Balanced Budget Act, his most recent budget proposal would raid Social Security by $20 billion in 2000.
Ryan also authored what has become known as the Social Security "Lock Box," legislation that would make it illegal for Congress to pass any legislation that would use funds from Social Security for any other purpose other than Social Security or Medicare. Moreover, Ryan's plan pays down the national debt. Even though President Clinton has publicly endorsed the "Lock Box" concept, the legislation has been held hostage for nearly four months by Senate Democrats who have refused to allow the measure to be voted on.
"This is a non-starter," said Ryan. "We've worked too long, come too far, and accomplished too much to throw in the towel on Social Security. I fear we are at point in time where we may miss an historic opportunity to protect the retirement security of millions of present and future retirees. The line is drawn. The raid on Social Security must stop. To do so, both the President and Congress must show leadership. Throughout my campaign for Congress, I pledged not contribute to any raid on Social Security. I stand by that pledge."
"Instead of dipping into the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for new and expanded government programs, lets pay off the national debt and pay back the money the federal government has taken from Social Security. I urge all my colleagues to oppose any appropriations measure that would use Social Security funds to pay for non-related programs. Further, I urge the President to abandon his unprecedented plan of new spending programs that would raid Social Security to the tune of $20 billion. It is time for the Social Security 'Lock Box' to become law."
"If the 'Lock Box' legislation I introduced were law today, Social Security would be protected and we would be on our way to paying off the national debt."
For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Congressman Ryan, please contact Doug McGinn at (202) 225-3031.