[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 12 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Page 599]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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and outdated.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.