[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             WORKING TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, President Bush and 
Republicans are working hard to protect Social Security for today's 
retirees and strengthen the program for future generations. This week 
Republicans offered several positive proposals that will help solve the 
problems plaguing Social Security.
  However, to ensure that we find a lasting solution, Democrats should 
join us at the negotiating table. On Wednesday, The Washington Post 
editorial page questioned: ``Democrats need to ask themselves, now 
what? Is it enough to keep sticking their fingers in their ears while 
saying no? Failing to act now will make the problem harder to fix down 
the road. Cuts or tax increases will have to be steeper the longer the 
problem goes unaddressed.''
  President Bush has invited Democrats to share their ideas on Social 
Security, but unfortunately his request has been met with silence or 
obstruction. While inaction may be politically safe, it does not help 
the millions of Americans who rely on Social Security.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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