Jacob J. Lew: “I don't think defaulting on payments to veterans is any better than defaulting on payments to foreign bond holders.”

I have always thought that the sooner we could have a bipartisan conversation on dealing with Social Security, the better.

You find cases of tax avoidance, and we know when you find cases of tax avoidance, voluntary compliance goes up.

I don't think there is an urgent crisis. I don't think Americans should worry that their Social Security won't be there.

The immediate need is for Congress to pass legislation that will permit them to restructure their debt.