[VIDEO] Ernst Claimed That She Has Looked At Privatizing Social Security As An Option. “So first yes I have talked about privatizing Social Security as an option.” [Wesley Acres Retirement, 9/3/14]
[VIDEO] Ernst: “We Do Have To Reform Medicare, Medicaid, And Social Security And The Way We Do That With Social Security Is By Looking At Transitioning Our Younger Workers On To Individual Plans Or Individual Savings Accounts…The Way We Are Protecting Our Seniors Is By Transitioning Our Younger Workers.” According to a debate held by KCCI, Ernst said, “I do think we have to keep the promises that are made to today's seniors. Absolutely. So what to do this. We do have to reform Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security and the way we do that with Social Security is by looking at transitioning our younger workers on to individual plans or individual savings accounts whether that's tied to the market whether it's based on interest rates however we want to do that we can have that discussion but the way we are protecting our seniors is by transitioning our younger workers and we can do that.” [KCCI, 5/28/14]
Ernst Claimed That Discussions About Social Security Should Happen Behind Closed Doors. According to Iowa Starting Line, “‘So, it’s a broader discussion for another day,’ she continued, ‘but I do think as various parties and members of Congress, we do need to sit down behind closed doors so we’re not being scrutinized by this group or the other, and just have an open and honest conversation about what are some of the ideas that we have for maintaining Social Security in the future.’” [Iowa Starting Line, 9/4/19]
Ernst’s Paid Family Leave Proposal Would Allow New Parents To Draw From Future Social Security Benefits To Finance Leave. According to Roll Call, “A proposal by Lee and Ernst, and another by Wagner, would be similar to a plan put forth by Sen. Marco Rubio last Congress, which would allow new parents to draw from future Social Security benefits to finance their leave. Cassidy’s office did not provide details of his plan. ‘The president has made it clear that paid family leave is a priority for his administration, that’s why I am all the more encouraged to continue working with my colleagues, and the administration, to create a path forward for a budget-neutral, child-focused paid leave program rather than impose a new entitlement or mandate,’ Ernst said in a statement.” [Roll Call, 3/4/19]