Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Critz wants President Obama to fire the head of his debt commission after he controversially touched the famed third-rail of American politics.
Alan Simpson, c0-chairman of the president’s debt commission, called Social Security “a milk cow with 310 million tits,” it was revealed this week. He later apologized, but that wasn’t enough for the 12th District incumbent, who won a special election to succeed the late John Murtha in May.
“We need to protect Social Security for our seniors,” Critz said in a statement. “Not only were Senator Simpson’s remarks offensive, they demonstrate that he believes that Social Security must be cut rather than address Washington’s reckless spending. For that reason, I urge President Obama to do the right thing and remove Senator Simpson from the President’s Debt Commission.”
The debt commission Simpson co-chairs is exploring whether the federal government needs to reduce spending, including in entitlement programs like Social Security, to lessen the country’s deficit.
“Any problems Social Security currently face is a direct result of Congress spending the Social Security Trust Fund on other programs,” Critz said. “Congress needs to reduce spending, but we cannot cut the one program that has done more to lift senior citizens out of poverty.”
He added: “By keeping Senator Simpson on the panel, President Obama is sending a message that he is open to cutting Social Security regardless of the impact it will have on our seniors. That is wrong and I pledge that will stand up for seniors and fight this scheme every step of the way.”
Critz faces a potentially difficult rematch against Republican Tim Burns in the Western Pennsylvania district. He won an unexpectedly easy victory over the GOP businessman in May, but the general election is expected to produce a more favorable turnout for Republicans.
One Response
Critz tells us hat he will do for the 12th District. Burns has said nothing.