Jack Kingston: “I wanted to mention, if I can, that we met with the AARP, American Association for Retired People, the largest…”

“I wanted to mention, if I can, that we met with the AARP, American Association for Retired People, the largest retirement group in America, and did it on a bipartisan basis. And the gentleman mentioned that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway) pulled that group together. One of the things I was glad to hear AARP say is, We admit there is a problem; there is a problem with Social Security. I can tell my colleagues, in Washington, that is a huge first step because, months ago, we were hearing, No, there is no problem, that the President is exaggerating. So let us say we have got a little bipartisan glimmer of hope here that there is a problem. The next question might be then should we address it now or wait and punt for future Congresses and elections. AARP was a little more, Hey, it is probably right to discuss it now and try to get something done. The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery) of the Committee on Ways and Means is going to start having hearings on it. In fact, I think he will this week, if I am not mistaken. Lots of hearings are good. Lots of thought, because, personally speaking, and I think I speak for my two colleagues, we do want Democrats at the table. We want this idea to say, Go into the meeting, but do not say these are my lines in the sand. Let us go into the meetings open minded. Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue to yield, I would like to add one further thing.…”