House urged to lead on Social Security

Some House Republicans are asking their leaders for a shift in Social Security strategy, arguing that the House should move first on legislation that creates private accounts, instead of waiting for action from the Senate, where Republican leaders are unsure they can pass such a bill.

“At least among my conservatives, there is a growing sense that the House should lead on creating a version of Social Security reform that reflects Republican priorities,” said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

“We’re pressing our leaders,” said Rep. Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Republican. “Some of us feel we should go ahead and move on it and not wait for the Senate.”

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on various Social Security proposals, but Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, already has expressed doubts that legislation with private accounts can make it through his panel, let alone the full Senate.

“They need a push,” Rep. Sam Johnson, Texas Republican, said of Republican senators who have been discussing options other than private accounts.

Most have thought the Senate would act first on Social Security, partly because the debate is farther along there, and partly because many House Republicans want to make sure the Senate can and will act. The fear has been that if the House takes a tough vote on a personal-accounts bill, but the Senate never acts, House members will be left alone to face the public in the 2006 midterm elections.

Given that concern, the House still won’t act before knowing if the Senate can, one House Republican said.

“[House Republican] leaders are fully aware of the historic difficulty that an off-year election presents to the majority party,” the Republican said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “So, the scenario of us marching into a Social Security canyon is not where they’re at.”

But more House Republicans are pushing ahead with their own bills. Rep. Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, introduced a Social Security bill last week along with Sen. John E. Sununu, New Hampshire Republican.

And Mr. Johnson has ramped up efforts to promote his own personal-accounts bill. He said some members, including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, California Republican, are “fed up” with the Senate, which he called “dysfunctional.”

Both Mr. Ryan’s and Mr. Johnson’s bills would create large private accounts intended to solve the system’s long-term financial crisis. The idea is to divert a portion of the 12.4 percent Social Security payroll tax each worker pays into a private account to be invested. Over time, supporters say, the growth of those investments will allow workers to rely more on the private accounts, easing pressure on the Social Security system.