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Press Release
Iowans United to Protect Social Security
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: July 18, 2005
For more information, contact:
Kristofer Eisenla (202) 955-1002
Iowans United Thanks Nussle for Refusing To Sign Onto McCrery Social Security Privatization Bill
Key House Ways and Means Committee Member and Candidate for Governor, Congressman Nussle, So Far Keeps Hands Off First Major Piece of Legislation Aimed at Destroying Social Security System
DES MOINES, IA - Iowans United today congratulated Congressman Jim Nussle, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and candidate for Governor, for not signing up as a co-sponsor on the McCrery Social Security Privatization Bill. Late last week, U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA), the Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, introduced his long awaited legislation which raids the Social Security Trust Fund to establish private accounts.
"We are very encouraged that, to date, Congressman Nussle has resisted signing onto the McCrery Social Security privatization bill - the first major piece of legislation introduced in the House aimed at privatizing Social Security and dismantling our country's oldest safety net," said Kristofer Eisenla of Americans United, Iowans United's coalition partner. "Hopefully, Congressman Nussle is starting to recognize the importance of Social Security and see that the people of Iowa are overwhelmingly opposed to this risky plan to privatize Social Security. We urge Congressman Nussle to not cosponsor the McCrery privatization bill and we urge him to oppose this irresponsible legislation when it comes up for a vote."
Nussle is a key member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the House committee that will be crafting this legislation and shepherding it through the process of a full House vote, and a candidate for Iowa Governor in 2006. He has not yet taken a stand publicly for or against the McCrery Privatization Bill or privatization as desired by President Bush. Over the past few years, Nussle has flip-flopped over his support for privatization and has yet to take a stand on the current proposals before the House.
"Congressman Nussle has taken the first step in standing up for the people of Iowa," said Betty Ahrens, Co-Director of Iowa Citizen Action Network, which is spearheading Iowans United. "We applaud him and thank him for not signing up as a co-sponsor of this bill. It appears that as he travels around our state campaigning for Governor, he is hearing that the Iowans from Sioux City to Burlington are firmly opposed to privatizing Social Security. We now ask him to come out against the McCrery bill and to oppose it in committee."
# # #
Faces and Voices of Social Security Campaign
FACT SHEETS
Privatization: Fact Vs Fiction
Is the McCrery-Shaw Bill Privatization?
REPORTS
Institute for America’s Future: Rural Communities Rely on Social Security Income Nearly TWICE as Much as Non-Rural Communities
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities: Why the President’s Social Security proposals could ultimately lead to the unraveling of Social Security
Institute for America's Future: Privatization = $152,000 Cut in Social Security Checks for Typical Iowan
RESOURCES
Americans United to Protect Social Security
Midwest Academy: The Bush Plan Weakens Social Security
IN THE NEWS
09/30/05, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier: Public hearing highlights poverty, budget spending
09/29/05, Mason City Globe Gazette: Guest View: Finding Budget 'High Ground'
09/29/05, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Advocates hope to avoid program cuts
09/27/05, Quad City Times: Putting a face on budget plight
09/20/05, Des Moines Register: Hearings planned on cuts to social programs
08/20/05, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier: Labor group joins protest of Social Security proposal
08/04/05, Washington Evening Journal: Washington stop on Social Security roadshow
07/26/05, Clear Lake Reporter: Social Security Town Hall Discussion to Take Place in Clear Lake
07/06/2005, The Hawk Eye: Group aiming to take stand against Social Security privatization
PRESS RELEASES
02/09/06 - Iowans Call on Nussle to Reject Social Security Cuts and Privatization
8/19/05 - Iowans Celebrate 70 Years of Social Security
8/12/05 - Who Is Ducking? Congressman Jim Nussle on Social Security Privatization
8/3/05 - Rural Iowans to Discuss Effects of Proposed Changes to Social Security
