The Social Security fight

Guess who might be an important Democratic player in the coming struggle over Social Security reform?It might just be Rep. Dennis Moore.The conservative Washington Times says today that “Several rank-and-file Democrats are suggesting alternative ideas to President Bush’s Social Security reform concept, despite their leadership’s argument that there isn’t a need to offer a counterproposal right now. “Rep. Dennis Moore, Kansas Democrat, and Rep. Rush D. Holt, New Jersey Democrat, have each crafted versions of “lock box” bills aimed at ensuring that Social Security trust fund money is not diverted for other uses. ” Mr. Moore, like most Democrats, opposes Mr. Bush’s idea to allow younger workers to invest some of their Social Security contributions in private accounts. But he also said Democrats should come up with their own proposal to avoid looking like ‘obstructionists.'”‘I think it’s probably better to come up with an alternative, rather than just say ‘no,” to the president, Mr. Moore said recently.”Mr. Moore’s plan would ensure that Social Security trust funds cannot be used for other budget purposes, and Mr. Holt’s plan would preserve all budget surpluses until Congress passes legislation that significantly extends the solvency of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.”Other links today:Pat Roberts links Senators plan bill on food sales to Cuba: “A bipartisan group of U.S. senators wants to keep the Bush administration from making sales of food to Cuba more difficult,” says The Baltimore Sun. “Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and Republican Sens. Larry E. Craig of Idaho, Pat Roberts of Kansas and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana are to introduce legislation today that would ease restrictions on doing business with Cuba.”Sam Brownback links Clone Ban Comeback Likely: “Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Florida) have been trying to push their anti-human-cloning bills through Congress since 2001, with Bush’s unofficial stamp of approval,” reports Wired.com. “If either bill becomes law, researchers who violate the law would face up to $1 million in fines and jail time.”Tortured China House Church Member to Testify in D.C.: “A member of an underground house church in China will recount her experience of torture, abuse and arbitrary imprisonment by Chinese police on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.,” reports The Christian Post. “In addition to Liu’s testimony, Senator Sam Brownback and other Congressional leaders will express their grave concern over religious persecution in China.”Jim Ryun links President Bush Urged To Appoint Anti-Indecency FCC Chairman: “In a letter delivered to the White House, President Bush is being urged by more than thirty House Republicans to appoint a new FCC chairman who will take a tough stance on indecent material they feel is permeating the American airwaves,” reports FMQB, which tracks news about the radio industry. “The letter began as collaboration between Pennsylvania’s Joe Pitts and Mississippi’s Charles Pickering and does not contain a single signature by a Democrat. Florida’s Dave Weldon , Iowa’s Steve King and Kansas’ Jim Ryun are among the other signatures.” How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.