    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 21, 2000]
    [Page 507]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 507]]

    Letter to Senate Leaders on Social Security Reform Legislation
    March 21, 2000

    Dear Mr. Leader:
        I am pleased that the Senate is moving forward with consideration of
    H.R. 5, a bill that would eliminate the retirement earnings test above
    the normal retirement age. On March 1, 2000, with strong Administration
    support, the House passed H.R. 5 by a vote of 422-0. I now urge the
    Senate to follow suit and quickly pass H.R. 5. This will ensure
    enactment of a clean, straightforward bill to eliminate the retirement
    earnings test above the normal retirement age, which I will promptly
    sign into law.
        I called for the elimination of the earnings test for seniors in my
    State of the Union address in 1999. I believe that the test is confusing
    and outdated. As the baby boomers begin to retire, it is more important
    than ever that older Americans who are willing and able to work should
    not have their Social Security benefits deferred when they do.
        Our work together on eliminating the retirement earnings test can
    help establish bipartisan momentum toward Social Security reform. We
    should build on this foundation to pass legislation that would extend
    the solvency of Social Security to about 2050 while taking significant
    actions to reduce poverty among elderly women. Last year, I transmitted
    legislation to Congress that would have used the interest savings earned
    by paying down the debt to make Social Security stronger. If we agree to
    this simple step, we can extend the life of Social Security to the
    middle of the next century while also modernizing Social Security to
    reduce poverty among elderly women.
        These simple measures would be a substantial down payment on meeting
    the long-term Social Security challenge. I hope we can continue to work
    together on this issue.
            Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Letters were sent to Trent Lott, Senate majority leader, and
    Thomas A. Daschle, Senate minority leader.