Influential Republican Says Seniors Should 'Take A Little Less' To Keep Social Security From Running Out
New York (Knewz) — An influential Republican said seniors need to "take a little less" and "pay a little more in" when debating Social Security in a Fox Nation debate.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., made the comments when debating Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on an array of issues during a "Senate Project" Fox Nation debate hosted by Bret Baier.
"Let's do something like Ted Kennedy would do: get Republicans and Democrats to find a way — like the Gang of Six, the Simpson Bowles plan. Senator Sanders bring Social Security plan to the floor. All it does is raise taxes. To get out of this mess, people like me are going to have to take a little less and pay a little more in. We're going to have to adjust the age one more time like Ronald Reagan and Tip — Tip O'Neil did. There is a bipartisan way forward. You describe problems, but your answer is always the government is always socialism," Graham said.
Graham further contended that Sanders' Medicare for All program would eliminate private-sector health care and that it would be extremely costly.
"There has to be some sense of responsibility here. You just can't tax people into oblivion and turn every problem over to the government," Graham said.
Sanders, along with 14 other senators, introduced the Medicare for All plan in May, and it is designed to "guarantee health care in the United States as a fundamental human right to all."
"OK, Social Security, and again, we had — Lindsay and I are on the Budget Committee — had hearing on it. What you forgot to tell people — and you're right: Social Security solvency issue — what the actuaries say we want: 75 years of funding coming into Social Security for seventy five years. What I advocated does that!," Sanders responded to Graham.
Graham then challenged Sanders to put the issue up for a vote, to which Sanders said, "Let's vote on it. Well, fine. I'm for voting on it."
"Bring it to the floor," Graham said.
Sanders then pointed out the lack of disparity between the wealthy and poor paying into Social Security.
"Let's ask the American people whether they think it makes sense that somebody who makes a million dollars a year or 10 million dollars a year or one hundred million dollars a year pays the same amount into Social Security as somebody who makes $127,000," he said.
Graham contended that Sanders doesn't want a vote on his Social Security plan because it won't get passed. Sanders responded that he'd be happy to bring it to a vote.
"Well, you're in charge. Let's vote," Graham said.
Currently, Social Security is projected to run out in 2034.
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