Video Source: www.youtube.com
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) discusses Social Security after the first public meeting of the Supercommittee. Transcript: Daniel Marans: Excuse me Senator Portman, you didn't discuss so much today the changes you want to see made to Social Security. I felt like the health care programs got more attention (Portman nods) and I was wondering what changes you might like to see and how you think that program might be dealt with? Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH): We'll see. I think there was discussion about it, and certainly the CBO tables made the point that the fastest growth is in the health care programs and Social Security. There was the projection shown that it would be a growing part of our budget over the next ten years— DM: What about the fact that Social Security doesn't have borrowing power, and so it doesn't contribute—it is paid for, and it doesn't contribute to the deficit? How do you think that could affect the way that— RP: (Shrugs) We'll see, we'll see. It is running a cash deficit this year, so there is some concern about it.