US Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) grilled the Biden administration’s White House director during a recent hearing, escalating the ongoing battle between Republicans and Democrats over Social Security.
In the recent intense hearing, Senator Romney questioned Shalanda Young, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the recent proposal by the lawmakers.
During the intense questioning, Romney asked Young if she was aware about the cuts being made to the program proposed by lawmakers.
Romney’s controversial question comes as US President Joe Biden repeatedly accuses the Republicans of doing so despite denial from the GOP leaders.
“You’ve heard of proposals from a current senator or congressman currently proposing to cut benefits to Social Security?” Romney questioned Young.
“Yes. Have they changed their position? Maybe, but yes. Members who are current—” Young responded but before she could continue, Romney interrupted and asked if the proposed cuts had been made in the last couple of months or the previous year.
Mitt Romney Gets Into Heated Exchange With Biden Official Over Social Security https://t.co/vjIKoHzpTL— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 16, 2023
“Current members have well-known policies out there to cut Social Security and Medicare,” Young said but Romney clapped back and claimed that “that is simply wrong, and it’s not honest to say that to members of Congress. That is simply wrong.”
Moreover, during the questioning, Young also confessed to knowing about the program’s trust fund, claiming that it is expected to “run out” during the next decade, noting estimates that “benefits would be cut dramatically, like 25 percent.”
“Well, why is it then that in the president’s budget, there’s no effort to address that whatsoever?” Senator Romney pressed.
“While we clearly disagree on this, there are some who have policies on websites — I’m happy to print them and send them to the committee — whether they have changed our position is another thing — who wants to cut–” Young responded as she attempted to change the topic.
Moreover, the conversation got heated after Romney asked again why the US President Biden’s budget doesn’t show how Democrats would want to protect Social Security.
“There’s nobody in this committee that wants to cut it. I know of no Republican or Democrat in the House or the Senate proposing cutting Social Security benefits, and it’s dishonest to keep saying it. It’s offensive and dishonest and not realistic.” Romney argued.
“This president believes the biggest threat to Social Security is those who want to cut it… his budget says no.” Young responded.
