FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Contact: (202) 225-9263
June 27, 1997
No. SS-7
Congressman Jim Bunning (R-KY), Chairman, Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold the fifth in a series of hearings on "The Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next." At this hearing, the Subcommittee will examine the views of Members of Congress and representatives of business and labor groups on Social Security reform. The hearing will take place on Thursday, July 10, 1997, in room B-318 Rayburn House Office Building, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
In view of the limited time available to hear witnesses, oral testimony will be from invited witnesses only. However, any individual or organization may submit a written statement for consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing.
BACKGROUND:
Various approaches have been proposed to restore Social Security's financial solvency ranging from maintaining the program's current structure to revamping the system entirely. The Subcommittee's first four hearings in the series have focused on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Social Security, the fundamental issues to consider when evaluating options for Social Security reform, the findings of the 1997 Social Security Board of Trustees, and the views of policy experts and organizations with different generational perspectives on Social Security reform.
In announcing the hearing, Chairman Bunning stated: "Members of Congress probably hear more about Social Security from their constituents than any other issue around. And for that reason, Members of Congress are very much aware of the widespread uncertainty about the future of this vital program, very much aware of how important the program is to senior citizens, and very much aware that when we get to the bottom line it is going to be their responsibility to make the changes necessary to restore Social Security's long term solvency.
"So, it makes sense to me that we bring as many Members of Congress into the process as possible and take advantage of any suggestions or proposals they might have to offer. Since they are going to be on the firing line when we have to make the tough choices, we ought to hear their recommendations before we start lining up the options.
"On the other hand, no one has any more at stake in the debate over Social Security reform than the employees and their employers who are paying the taxes that keep the program going. No matter what we do to change Social Security, it is going to have a direct impact on these two groups. They should have an opportunity to have their voices heard in this process."
FOCUS OF THE HEARING:
The Subcommittee will receive the views of Members of Congress on Social Security reform. Representatives of business and labor will also present their perspectives. Specifically, Members of the Subcommittee would like to hear the views of each individual regarding: (1) the degree to which Social Security reform is necessary, (2) an assessment of the Advisory Council recommendations and other reform proposals, (3) specific recommendations for Congress to consider as it moves forward, and (4) how soon Congressional action is needed.
DETAILS FOR SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Any person or organization wishing to submit a written statement for the printed record of the hearing should submit at leastsix (6) single-space legal-size copies of their statement, along with an IBM compatible 3.5-inch diskette in ASCII DOS Text format only, with their name, address, and hearing date noted on a label, by the close of business, Thursday, July 24, 1997, to A.L. Singleton, Chief of Staff, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. If those filing written statements wish to have their statements distributed to the press and interested public at the hearing, they may deliver 200 additional copies for this purpose to the Subcommittee on Social Security office, room B-316 Rayburn House Office Building, at least one hour before the hearing begins.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS:
Each statement presented for printing to the Committee by a witness, any written statement or exhibit submitted for the printed record or any written comments in response to a request for written comments must conform to the guidelines listed below. Any statement or exhibit not in compliance with these guidelines will not be printed, but will be maintained in the Committee files for review and use by the Committee.
1. All statements and any accompanying exhibits for printing must be typed in single space on legal-size paper and may not exceed a total of 10 pages including attachments. At the same time written statements are submitted to the Committee, witnesses are now requested to submit their statements on an IBM compatible 3.5-inch diskette in ASCII DOS Text format.
2. Copies of whole documents submitted as exhibit material will not be accepted for printing. Instead, exhibit material should be referenced and quoted or paraphrased. All exhibit material not meeting these specifications will be maintained in the Committee files for review and use by the Committee.
3. A witness appearing at a public hearing, or submitting a statement for the record of a public hearing, or submitting written comments in response to a published request for comments by the Committee, must include on his statement or submission a list of all clients, persons, or organizations on whose behalf the witness appears.
4. A supplemental sheet must accompany each statement listing the name, full address, a telephone number where the witness or the designated representative may be reached and a topical outline or summary of the comments and recommendations in the full statement. This supplemental sheet will not be included in the printed record.
The above restrictions and limitations apply only to material being submitted for printing. Statements and exhibits or supplementary material submitted solely for distribution to the Members, the press and the public during the course of a public hearing may be submitted in other forms.
The
Committee seeks to make its facilities accessible to persons with
disabilities. If you are in need of special accommodations, please
call 202-225-1721 or 202-226-3411 TTD/TTY in advance of the event
(four business days notice is requested). Questions with regard to
special accommodation needs in general (including availability of
Committee materials in alternative formats) may be directed to the
Committee as noted above.