Debate Takeaway: Rick Berg Doubles Down and Embraces His Social Security Privatization Scheme
MANDAN, N.D. – In a surprise move, Rep. Rick Berg today embraced his vote to privatize Social Security at a debate hosted by the North Dakota Broadcaster’s Association.
When asked about how he would preserve Social Security, Berg told the audience:
“I care a lot about Social Security. In fact, I was frustrated with it 10 years ago in the North Dakota legislature when we said, ‘Get something done. Do something.’ We have to have solutions. We have to have alternatives.’”
In fact, Berg’s version of “Do Something” was a vote to privatize Social Security. When Heidi Heitkamp pointed out that Berg’s record included privatizing Social Security, Berg didn’t deny it, saying instead simply, “This is what’s wrong with Washington. People blame, blame and don’t come up with solutions.”
Watch Rick Berg double down on his votes to privatize Social Security.
Heitkamp also noted that on Berg’s watch in Washington, the House cut funding to the very office whose chief responsibility is to root out waste, fraud and abuse in Social Security. Talking Points Memo reported earlier this year:
“Cuts proposed by House Republicans to programs designed to weed out waste and abuse within Social Security could end up costing taxpayers more in the long run than the spending cuts themselves are designed to save, according to the program’s chief actuary. In other words, House Republicans are seeking to eliminate safeguards within the Social Security system that are proven to save taxpayers far more money that they cost. It’s an assessment that Democrats opposed to the cuts were quick to highlight.” (Talking Points Memo, 7/26/12)
Background
Berg Introduced a Resolution Urging Congress To Privatize Social Security. In March 2005, Representative Berg introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 3056, which urged “the President and Congress to reform and strengthen the Social Security system in order to ensure its viability for future generations.” According to the resolution, “the President favors voluntary personal accounts as part of a comprehensive solution to give younger workers the option to set aside a portion of their payroll taxes in an account they own and control.” [House Measure No. 3056, 3/3/05]
2005: Berg Spoke in Support of Privatization Resolution. According to meeting minutes of the House Standing Committee, Berg testified in support of HCR3056: “The bill before you is a resolution that really is addressing social security; and obviously we know that’s not something that we deal with directly, but having said that, we have one of the most aging populations in the country. I think there is becoming a stronger awareness that a) we have a problem and b) we need to start thinking about what solutions are to the problem. …We’re really saying to the President and Congress to reform and strengthen the social security system in order to ensure its viability for future generations. …The federal government has personal savings accounts for many of the federal employees that put money aside for retirement, and I think it is time for Congress to look at this for individuals. Not to mandate them, but to give them an option, if they want to try to put some of their money in a personal account, that they in fact could do that.” [House Standing Committee meeting minutes, 3/2/05]
In Washington, Berg Again Voted Against Protecting Social Security and Medicare Benefits from Privatization. In March 2011, Berg voted against a measure that would have prohibited continuing appropriations funds for fiscal year 2011 for being used in developing or implementing a system that cuts Social Security benefits or that privatizes Social Security. The amendment also prohibited funds from being used to develop or implement a system that cuts Medicare benefits, eliminates guaranteed health coverage for seniors or establishes a Medicare voucher plan that limits payments to beneficiaries in order to purchase health care in the private sector. The motion failed, 190-239. [HJR 48, Vote 178, 2/15/11]
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