House GOP Plans Social Security Draft

WASHINGTON -- House Republicans announced plans Friday to draft Social Security legislation by June as President Bush warned Democratic critics not to ''play politics as usual'' with his call for sweeping program changes including curtailment of some benefits, The Associated Press reported.

Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, told reporters he envisioned legislation that ''won't just be a Social Security bill.''

''It will be a retirement bill,'' Thomas said, indicating it would also include steps to encourage private retirement savings. He also signaled that the legislation could include provisions to ease the cost of long term or chronic health care for the elderly.

Thomas talked with reporters in the Capitol as Bush made his first public appearance since prodding lawmakers to consider reducing the benefits guaranteed to future middle and upper income retirees as part of a plan to assure the solvency of the Depression-era program.

''I have a duty to put ideas on the table, and I'm putting them on the table,'' the president said in suburban Falls Church. Va.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 4/29/05