Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, October 12, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 21093 Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan October 12, 1999 202/225-3061 Republicans Halted Raid on Social Security in ‘99 Rep. Ehrlich reiterates his commitment to prevent raid next year, too Washington, D.C. — For the first time in more than 30 years, the federal government did not raid the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for other government programs. The Congressional Budget Office reported today that the federal government ran a $124.6 billion surplus in fiscal 1999 — $123.6 billion in Social Security revenues and $ 1 billion in non-Social Security funds. Ehrlich hailed today’s news as a victory for every working American. "The Republicans have said all year that we will stop the raid on Social Security once and for all if we want to provide working security for our seniors, babyboomers and their children. We have remained unshakeable in our resolve to do that. Today, we have our first victory. "This is the first time in 39 years that we haven’t had to borrow from the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for other government programs. We remain firm in our resolve to protect those funds next year as well. We won’t touch a dime of the Social Security Trust Fund next year for anything but retirement security for our seniors "We have taken strong steps in securing America’s future. We have balanced the budget, cut taxes, fixed welfare, and beefed up our national security. Now, we have taken the first major step in strengthening Social Security and Medicare." ###