Gephardt Pushes for Debate on Social Security-June 19, 2002.

Seeking to Force a Debate on Social Security Through a Discharge Petition


	June 19, 2002. After the meeting of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Gephardt, Rep. Karen L. Thurman (FL-5; member of the Ways and Means Committee), Rep. Robert T. Matsui (CA-5; ranking member of the Social Security Subcommittee) and other Democrats walked over to the Capitol to launch a discharge petition in an effort to bring about a debate on Republican Social Security proposals.

	The discharge petition focuses on the Social Security Guarantee Plus Act of 2001 (H.R.3497), introduced by Rep. Clay E. Shaw, Jr. (R, FL-22). Democrats have also criticized the Social Security Ownership and Guarantee Act of 2001 (H.R.3535), introduced by Rep. Jim DeMint (R, SC-4). In March 2002, seeking to prompt discussion of the report of the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security, Democrats introduced three bills that they themselves oppose; H.R.4022, H.R.4023, and H.R.4024 are based on the three models proposed by the President's Commission. Those bills remain in the Ways and Means Committee.