RE: Citizen Question

[National Dialogue Moderator <moderator>]

The Congress has been looking at the specifics of the Social Security
program and solutions to address the program's long-term solvency problems
for over 2 years.  Hopefully, past hearings in the Social Security
Subcommittee have served a useful purpose by exposing the range of options
available and the issues that must be resolved to reform this essential
program.

I would hope that Members of Congress begin working together to find
consensus on the specifics on a reform package.  This is certainly a key
element in the reform process, and some in Congress have been able to work
together in small groups in a bipartisan manner to develop comprehensive
reform proposals.

However, for the effort in Congress to ultimately succeed, the President
must be involved at every stage of the process.   Leadership from the
President is necessary to garner Democrat support in Congress for approval
of a bipartisan Social Security reform package.  Without this leadership,
a reform effort that is limited strictly to the Legislative Branch is
likely to turn into a partisan, fractious affair.

Rep. Kenny Hulshof