Aug 09, 2010
FACT CHECK: House Republican Leader John Boehner Stands by Deep Cuts to Social Security
On Meet the Press this morning, Republican Leader John Boehner stands by his support for deep cuts to Social Security benefits that hardworking seniors earned. Earlier this summer, Boehner said that raising the Social Security retirement age to 70 was one of his policy goals. With Boehner’s long-time support for privatization of Social Security, it is clear that seniors simply can’t trust Republicans to protect the Social Security benefits they earned.
Meet the Press exchange between host David Gregory and Republican Leader John Boehner:
GREGORY: All right. One of the ways you talk about getting your arms around spending was something you suggested back in June. That is that social security, the retirement age, ought to be raised to the age of 70. Is that something that the GOP will campaign on in the fall?
BOEHNER: David, I think it's time for the American people to have an adult conversation about the problems that we face. These entitlement programs serve tens of millions of Americans and are critically important. We know that these programs are unsustainable in their current form, and I really do think it's time we sit down and talk to the American people together about how we solve this. I think we need to bring Democrats and Republicans together in order to solve this problem.
GREGORY: You favor raising the retirement age?
BOEHNER: David, there are a lot of options about how you solve these, but I don't want to get the cart before the horse. I think it's important to have this conversation. It's going to be a difficult conversation, but it's time to have it and come up with solutions done in a bipartisan way to address the problems. [Meet the Press, 8/8/10]
BACKGROUND
Boehner Said He'd Favor Raising the Social Security Retirement Age to 70. Earlier this summer, Boehner outlined his support for raising the Social Security retirement age to 70, tying cost-of-living increases to the consumer price index rather than wage inflation, and limiting payments to those who need them. [Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 6/29/10]
Described Support for Existing Social Security System as “Nostalgia” Boehner said, “We need the courage to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren. We can't be blinded by nostalgia for a broken system or casual about the problems it'll cause our families down the road…” [US Fed News, Boehner Answers Community’s Questions, 4/29/05]
Boehner Promised Agenda of Privatizing Social Security if He Took Charge. In 2006, Boehner said he’d push to privatize Social Security if he was in charge. "If I'm around in a leadership role come January, we're going to get serious about it." [Washington Times, 7/31/06]
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