2014 Iowa Senate Debates: on Social Security


Joni Ernst: Something like personal savings accounts for younger workers

Democratic TV ads in Iowa have repeatedly misrepresented Joni Ernst's position on Social Security, claiming she "would privatize Social Security" or that she has "proposed privatizing Social Security." But Ernst hasn't proposed or endorsed any plan to change Social Security. At most, Ernst has said that she would consider allowing "younger workers," or those "just entering the workforce," to put some portion of their Social Security payroll taxes into interest-bearing or stock market-based "personal savings accounts" for their retirement.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee aired a TV ad in August called "Team," saying that Ernst "would privatize Social Security." But that goes too far. Ernst hasn't advocated for a completely privatized program, and she certainly hasn't talked about making changes for seniors currently collecting benefits or those nearing retirement, such as the white-haired man featured in the DSCC's ad.

Source: FactCheck.org PacWatch on 2014 Iowa Senate debate Oct 7, 2014

Bruce Braley: Privatizing Social Security turns it over to Wall Street

At a senior center, Braley escorted around his mother, Marcia Braley, showing off the peach pie that she made and noting proudly that she is still working as a substitute teacher.

During brief remarks, Braley again referred to his mother as he took a subtle swipe at his opponent: "When it comes to protecting Social Security and Medicare, the most important person I have to worry about is sitting right there at that table. That's why, as your next senator, I will never vote to privatize Social Security and turn your hard-earned money over to Wall Street investment bankers."

In a statement, an Ernst spokeswoman said that "Joni will protect Social Security for seniors like her parents, and save it for her kids' generation by finding a bipartisan solution that won't raise the retirement age."

Source: Washington Post AdWatch on 2014 Iowa Senate race Oct 2, 2014

Joni Ernst: Open to privatizing Social Security, but honor promises

Ernst was prodded to explain several positions she staked out on her way to winning the Republican primary in June, such as being open to privatizing Social Security, opposing a federal minimum wage, hoping to eventually phase out ethanol subsidies, and wanting to eliminate the Department of Education.

Ernst defended keeping privatization on the table as one option to save Social Security. many options out there. I haven't endorsed one option over another." Braley said privatizing should not be on the table and neither should raising the retirement age.

Source: Politico.com e-zine on 2014 Iowa Senate debate Sep 28, 2014

Doug Butzier: Privatize the Ponzi scheme in gradual and voluntary manner

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Privatize Social Security"?

A: In a gradual and voluntary manner. It's a Ponzi scheme and future taxpayers should not be forced to pay for someone's retirement. That is what individual responsibility is all about.

Source: E-mail interview: 2014 Iowa Senate race with OnTheIssues.org Sep 17, 2014

Matthew Whitaker: No hope that Social Security will be there for future

Matt Whitaker, a Des Moines lawyer who played tight end for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team, got kudos from the audience for his statements about cutting spending.

"Let's be clear about this," Whitaker said, "my generation, my children that are here tonight, Social Security is a tax. Medicare is a tax. There is no hope that Social Security as it currently exists will be there be for me . or for anyone of our generation."

Source: Indianapolis Star on 2014 Iowa Senate race Oct 24, 2013

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Iowa Senate Debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Matt Whitaker on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Joni Ernst on Social Security.
Candidates and political leaders on Social Security:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018