John Ashcroft on Social Security

Repeal the Social Security Earnings Test

SOCIAL SECURITY

Won enactment of the first Social Security Lockbox budget rule, successfully preventing Washington from raiding the Social Security Trust Fund for other government spending or tax cuts.
Helped to enact repeal of the Social Security Earnings Test, thus allowing seniors over 65 to continue working, should they choose to, without losing Social Security benefits.

Source: JohnAshcroft.org, campaign web site Nov 7, 2000

Architect of the Social Security lockbox

After [Mel Carnahan’s death], we began to focus just on the issues that are very important to people. Better and safer schools through a classroom trust fund, and issues like the lockbox for Social Security.

I believe the people are going to respond constructively to issues like securing Social Security in the lockbox. You know, I’m the architect of the lockbox, and we need to extend that, and extend the ability of Medicare to deal with older citizens by giving them prescription drug coverage.

Source: ABC This Week with Cokie Roberts Nov 5, 2000

Voted YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions.

Vote on a motion to table (or kill) the motion to recommit the bill to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee with instructions directing the committee to "correct the fact that the bill uses" Social Security surpluses for tax breaks. Bill S.1429 ; vote number 1999-236 on Jul 30, 1999

Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt.

This vote limited debate on the amendment offered by Sen. Abraham (R-MI) that would have created a Social Security "lockbox" and establish limits on the public debt. [A YES vote was for a lockbox]. This vote failed because 3/5 of the Senate did not vote.
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)54; N)45; NV)1 Reference: Motion to invoke cloture on Amdt #254 to S. 557; Bill S. 557 ; vote number 1999-90 on Apr 22, 1999

Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees.

Senator Roth (R-DE) offered this amendment to the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act to allow people older than 70.5 with incomes over $100,000 to move funds from an Individual Retirement Account into a Roth IRA.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)56; N)42; NV)2 Reference: Roth Amdt #2339; Bill H.R. 2676 ; vote number 1998-120 on May 6, 1998

Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts.

Vote on an amendment expressing the sense of the Senate that the Finance Committee should consider legislation to use the federal budget surplus to establish personal retirement accounts as a supplement to Social Security. Bill S.Con.Res.86 ; vote number 1998-56 on Apr 1, 1998

Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes.

Vote on an amendment to establish an income tax deduction for Social Security taxes paid by employees and the self-employed. Bill S Con Res 57 ; vote number 1996-140 on May 22, 1996

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