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Randy Kuhl is prepared to gamble with Social Security.
Beginning in 2004, Kuhl made his position on privatizing Social Security clear saying, "For older Americans, we must strengthen Medicare and Social Security and establish a system that allows seniors, through private savings accounts and other initiatives, to choose health-care plans that best meet their needs [Star-Gazette, 9/8/04]." He even went so far as to tour with President Bush to support the privatization plan [US Fed News, 5/24/05].
Kuhl's held firm to this position despite the fact that his district ranked fourth in New York in Social Security benefits received with $126.1 million collected by 19.1 percent of its residents [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 3/20/05].
"Randy Kuhl's blind loyalty to President Bush's agenda is now putting our seniors at risk," said Carly Lindauer, New York State Democratic Committee spokeswoman. "Despite a stock market in peril, and many New Yorkers already anxious about the state of their retirement savings, Randy Kuhl still wants to turn a guaranteed benefit into a gamble. Again, Mr. Kuhl is ignoring the needs of his constituents and the current risks of the market."
THE FACTS:
Kuhl Supported Private Social Security Accounts as Part of His 2004 Platform
In a 2004 voter education report, Kuhl said, "For older Americans, we must strengthen Medicare and Social Security and establish a system that allows seniors, through private savings accounts and other initiatives, to choose health-care plans that best meet their needs." [Star-Gazette, 9/8/04]
Kuhl Toured with President Bush to Support the Privatization Plan
In May 2005, Kuhl joined President Bush for a town meeting on Social Security reform. President Bush was touring in support of his plan Social Security privatization plan. [US Fed News, 5/24/05]
Voted to Protect Social Security Privatization
In 2007, Kuhl voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to bar the use of funds in the bill to pay the salary of the deputy commissioner of Social Security without a Senate vote confirming the appointment of the deputy commissioner.
The amendment was aimed at blocking salary payments to Andrew Biggs, the deputy commissioner of Social Security and an advocate of privatizing Social Security. President Bush had installed Biggs with a recess appointment to avert Senate confirmation hearings that would examine his views on privatization. [Washington Post, 7/22/07]
The amendment passed 231-199. [HR 3043, Vote #665, 7/18/07]
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