Is the tax deal the beginning of the end of Social Security? Some Democrats in Congress sure think so.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who voted against the legislation, said on Thursday that “this [vote] is the beginning of the end of Social Security.”
“Next year Republicans are going to want to continue to undermine Social Security, and we are not going to be in any position to borrow the money under whatever new rules the Republicans adopt to make it whole,” he said.
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) told The Hill that the tax bill -- which passed the lower chamber on Thursday night -- is a “trojan horse” designed to kill the Social Security program.
“My view is this is like the magician. He has got people looking at the estate tax. Meanwhile, he is putting his hand in your pocket and taking your Social Security,” McDermott said.
In the tax bill that the White House hailed on Friday as a "big win," workers will get a two-percent tax break for one year on their payroll taxes -- a tax that funds Social Security. The cut will leave Social Security with a $112 billion short fall. To make up the difference, the government will need to borrow the money.
Proponents of the bill contend the payroll tax holiday will provide a significant boost to the economy.