Sen. Grassley (R) agrees with Chairman Thomas that the president’s Social Security phase-out plan may be in trouble.
From the Des Moines Register …
Grassley, in a conference call with Iowa reporters, did not criticize Thomas’ comments, and said that the “difficult political issue” likely will have to be handled by the Senate first rather than the House, and then in a bipartisan fashion.
That’s in contrast to other controversial ideas that the Republican-controlled Congress has been able to approve in recent years, largely along party lines, such as Medicare prescription drug legislation and tax-cut packages.
“I told the president the other day he has been successful with his agenda because he had a Republican House to push it through,” Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said, referring to a recent White House meeting.
In addition, budget rules assisted lawmakers, as well as help from some Senate Democrats, Grassley said.
With Social Security, that is not possible and 60 votes – which would mean some Democratic support – will be needed for any plan to be approved in the Senate, he said.
“Understand it’s got to be bipartisan and the president has got to encourage that bipartisanship,” Grassley said.
Surely, Stephen Moore’s going to have <$NoAd$>something to say about this, right?
