Frank Pallone: “the Republicans are moving full steam ahead with their plan to raid the budget surplus to pay for tax cuts, instead of…”

“the Republicans are moving full steam ahead with their plan to raid the budget surplus to pay for tax cuts, instead of putting that money where it rightly belongs, into Social Security. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, the Republican tax bill is a direct assault on Social Security. The budget surplus the Republicans want to use to pay for their tax cuts do not exist. The only portion of the Federal budget that is in surplus is the Social Security Trust Fund. In fact, without Social Security, the Federal budget would still be in deficit this year. Mr. Speaker, hardworking American families deserve tax relief, there is no doubt, but we should not be gambling with the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for it. Let us put every penny of this surplus back where it came from and keep it there until we are sure we have protected Social Security for the long haul. Let us show seniors and future generations that we will be disciplined with the money Congress has been charged with managing for their retirement years. Let us stop the GOP's $80 billion assault on Social Security dead in its tracks. I would urge all my colleagues to vote no on this irresponsible Republican tax plan.”