“It may make it harder to reach bipartisan compromise on fiscal issues. What we heard was a partisan broadside from our campaigner in chief,” he said at a news conference after Obama’s speech today.
He also said he was disappointed at Obama’s position on Social Security, saying he thought that was an area where the two parties could find some common ground.
“We just have such difference of opinions on health care,” Ryan said, “But on Social Security, from just listening to the various Democrats and Republicans around here, we’re not words apart.”
Obama said in his speech, “Social Security is not the cause of our deficit; both parties should work together now to strengthen Social Security for future generations.” He added, “We must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generation.”
According to the Congressional Budget Office, although the Social Security program is spending more on benefits than it receives in revenue, its trust fund will not be exhausted until 2039.
Ryan earlier this month proposed a budget that would reduce the deficit through spending cuts of $6 trillion over 10 years and phase out the traditional Medicare program for seniors.
His budget doesn’t mention cutting Social Security, though he said that was only to leave room for compromise.
Ryan’s budget also had alternate program for Medicare that would replace it by providing those under the age 55 with subsidies to buy private health insurance. Obama rejected the idea and said, “instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open market, well, tough luck – you’re on your own. Put simply, it ends Medicare as we know it.”
Obama today called for cutting the deficit by $4 trillion over the next dozen years through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. Republicans have rejected the tax increase idea.
(아주경제 송지영 기자)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com