Reid will fight major overhaul of Social Security

Scott Sonner

Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998 | 1:50 a.m.

RENO, Nev. -- Sen. Harry Reid says he'll fight sweeping changes in Social Security and is confident the government program can be saved without raising taxes or cutting benefits.

"The important thing is to mend it, don't end it," Reid, D-Nev., said.

"Doing away with Social Security is really the wrong way to go," the new Senate minority whip said in an interview this week.

Reid enjoyed strong support from seniors in his narrow re-election to a third term. He opposes privatization of Social Security and said he'll use his new leadership position to help "achieve sensible reform."

"Social Security is not broke," Reid told The Associated Press. "It is not about to go broke. But we do have to make sure everybody after the year 2032 gets all their benefits."

"We are going to make sure they get all the benefits they deserve and we are not going to do it by raising taxes or cutting benefits."

Reid, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, participated this week in the first White House National Conference on Social Security.

"This is big stuff. We've had town hall meetings before around the country but never a White House conference," the senator said.

"This year offers an historic opportunity to address the future of Social Security," he said.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., also praised the Clinton administration for holding the conference.

"This issue is of such great importance that we must put partisan politics aside and put common sense legislation into action," Gibbons said.

"Congress and the administration must be open and honest with the American people ... Today's discussions were a step in the right direction," he said on Tuesday.

President Clinton and Republican leaders have pledged to work together next year on action to avert the cash shortage Social Security is expected to face when America's huge baby boom generation retires.

Clinton offered no new clues this week about his own preferences.

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., is among those pressing for privatization of Social Security with the establishment of personal savings accounts.

Gibbons said he agreed with Reid that there should be no new tax increases.

"Our endeavors must be fair to current and future retirees, and there should be new options and choices for younger workers," Gibbons said.