A statement posted by Sam Johnson, Chairman of the House Social Security Subcommittee:
I expect hearings to try to scare people about Social Security's future. I expect little or no attention by the Subcommittee to the functioning of the Social Security Administration itself.
We must secure Social Security’s future for its own sake, on a bipartisan basis with the full support of the President. I am committed to protecting benefits for today’s seniors, those nearing retirement, and those who count on Social Security the most, without raising taxes. It’s time to move past talk to action. The Subcommittee on Social Security will soon begin hearings to find lasting solutions to strengthen the program.The math is simple. If you intend to "secure Social Security's future" but rule out any tax increase, you must make massive benefits cuts. Indeed, by saying that you intend to protect benefits for those who are already on Social Security or who are nearing retirement, you make it clear that you want to cut benefits for everyone else. Good luck on getting bipartisan support for that one.
I expect hearings to try to scare people about Social Security's future. I expect little or no attention by the Subcommittee to the functioning of the Social Security Administration itself.
Because no one cares about SSA's daily operations unless they're directly involved in them, i.e., claimants, representatives, employees and managers.
ReplyDeleteI've watched a lot of hearings with SSA officials, management and union reps, advocacy groups and the like, all on C-SPAN 16 or something, which no one watches anyway. Never any press outside the Beltway. If the people who care about the day to day problems of the agency want to make a point, they need to bring real, ordinary Americans to testify and talk about their experiences with this place. Maybe that would attract a little real attention. Just a thought.