Republicans Still Talking Social Security Reform

Although all's been quiet on the Social Security front lately, the G.O.P. might be planning to push forward reform that would likely include President Bush's controversial private accounts, according to the National Post in Washington.

Bush's wants to reroute 4% of a worker's payroll tax into private accounts made up of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. It's been roundly criticized by Democrats and by all estimations is the single greatest reason the president's reform plan has stalled, experts say. The money management industry hasn't entered the debate.

But Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., who didn't include Social Security reform in his recent bill on pension reform, refuses to speak of the topic in past tense. Instead, he recently told the National Post, Social Security reform hasn't moved as of "yet."

Could Thomas be hinting that Social Security reform will be revived in 2006? Some think so, especially because the republican added, "Election years are the most opportune time to get things done. That's why we got Medicare [prescription drug bill] done."

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