Orrin Hatch: “saving Social Security will require Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion, but most of all it will require…”

“saving Social Security will require Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion, but most of all it will require Presidential leadership. In 2009, President Obama held a fiscal responsibility summit to talk about the need for entitlement reform. During the summit the President said: What we have done is kicked this can down the road. We are now at the end of the road and are not in a position to kick it any further. We have to signal seriousness in this by making sure some of the hard decisions are made under my watch, not someone else's. I agree with what the President said then, even if he hasn't exactly followed his own advice. It is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Every year we delay makes it more difficult to implement gradual reforms to Social Security that will allow us to avoid abrupt changes for future beneficiaries. Delay makes it more difficult for hard- working Americans to gradually adjust their plans and makes it more likely they will be hit with an uncertain blow to benefits or more taxes. My amendment calls for a reserve fund to allow Congress to consider legislation submitted by President Obama to protect current beneficiaries and save Social Security for future generations. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Wyden amendment, which does not seem directed at bipartisan discussion. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.”