David Minge: “in the last week there have been some very disturbing announcements about the status of Social Security reform in the…”

“in the last week there have been some very disturbing announcements about the status of Social Security reform in the 106th Congress, and I would like to express my severe disappointment that the majority leader in the Senate and possibly the Speaker of the House has backed away from a commitment that we ought to have here in Congress to make Social Security reform the number one priority for the 106th Congress. I do not think that there is a Member of this institution, nor are there many in this entire country, who is not aware of the importance of addressing the financial crisis that is looming for Social Security unless we take steps to change the program and make it financially secure for the foreseeable future. We can do this by modest changes here in 1999-2000; changes that we could implement over several years. They would not be painful if they are implemented in such a fashion and would share the cost among a generation or more of Americans. But if we continually postpone the reform effort, it will become more expensive, more contentious, and more of a crisis situation, which will be inadequate and enormously controversial when it occurs. I do not think it is right that we in Congress point our fingers to the White House and say the President has not provided enough leadership. We here in Congress ought to be providing leadership on our own. We should not do it for fear of criticism. Certainly that is why we are elected, to make some tough decisions.…”