Senator John McCain fought to save the Social Security Trust Fund
In the late 90s, John McCain led the fight against those who wanted to spend what they called the “surplus” in the Social Security Trust Fund. He lost that fight. I found a few quotes that I’e included below.
I didn’t always agree with John McCain. I don’t know that anyone did. But I sure admired the man. And I’m grateful to him. Rest In Peace Senator John McCain
John McCain believed that Social Security Money should be kept off budget and should be used only for Social Security
“Let’s take the Social Security Trust Fund completely off budget… no politician can ever use it again for any purpose other than your retirement.” Senator John McCain, June 2, 1999
John McCain wanted to use the 1990s budget surplus to shore up Social Security
“I will not allow your Social Security money to be used for any purpose except Social Security – no ifs, ands, or excuses. Social Security money will be taken completely off budget – every single dollar. So politicians can’t get their hands on your retirement money to finance another big government scheme. I’ll reserve more than sixty percent of the surplus to save Social Security. And I’ll do it in the first year of my presidency.” — Senator John McCain, September 27, 1999
“McCain will make sure Social Security funds are used only for Social Security. His plan will lock up the entire Social Security Trust Fund keeping it out of the hands of politicians. And he will devote 62% of the budget surplus exclusively to shoring up the Social Security program. He will not allow Washington bureaucrats to fund special interest projects and new government programs with the Social Security money hard-working Americans have paid into the system for years.” — Senator John McCain, Position Paper from his 2000 Presidential Campaign, May 24, 1999
