Latinos Confront GOP Leader
Over Social Security Comments
Rosa Ramírez     [Photo]

National Hispanic leaders are labeling as "shocking" and "unbelievable" comments made by House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) suggesting that race and gender should be among the determining factors in allocating Social Security benefits.

Thomas made the remarks during an interview Jan. 23 on NBC News' Meet the Press. As the highest-ranking House Republican overseeing Social Security legislation, he spoke during the Sunday morning talk show intending to clear up his earlier comments that criticized President Bush's plan allowing individuals to create private Social Security accounts.

Reiterating a potential need to consider gender in allocating benefits, Thomas added, "We need to examine the question of race in terms of how many years of retirement do you get based upon your race."

Meet the Press host Tim Russert probed, "Do you think Congress, Mr. Chairman, would accept any formula that said that people would be treated differently because of gender or their race?"

Thomas responded, "If we discuss it and the will is not to do it, fine. At least we discussed it."

Brent Wilkes, national executive director for the League of United Latin American Citizens, called Thomas' comments "outrageous and unbelievable."

Wilkes commented to Hispanic Link News Service that the suggestion was intended to tell different ethnic groups that there are different payoffs so each can see different benefits.

"I think it's a terrible idea," he said.

In a letter addressed to Thomas, U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who serves on the Social Security Subcommittee on Ways and Means, and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) wrote, "We hope that you will immediately clarify your previous statements regarding benefit cuts and the role race and gender should play in any Social Security proposal."

Becerra related to Hispanic Link that he was "shocked and scared," especially because those who would be most affected under such a proposal are those who need the benefits the most.

"I can't imagine there would be any Democrat support for such proposal," he added.

Mario López, executive director for the Republicans’ Congressional Hispanic Conference, told Weekly Report that the chairman's comments suggest that race and gender should be included in the Social Security discussion and not that benefits should be weighed by race or gender.

"Chairman Thomas is rightly concerned with the race and gender disparities in the current system, and experts from a wide range of viewpoints acknowledge that this is a concern," he said.

Thomas' comments came three days before President Bush held a press conference on his agenda to establish personal management retirement accounts as part of his plan to revamp Social Security.

Thomas stated that lawmakers should consider taking into account factors such as gender since women live longer than men. "We never have debated gender-adjusting Social Security," he said.

Jennifer Crider, spokesperson for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), told Hispanic Link that they are waiting for a response to a letter sent to Thomas also seeking an explanation.

"We ask you to clarify your previous statements supporting benefit cuts for America's working women, and to explain how your goal of privatizing the Social Security program makes it easier, not harder, for women to achieve the financial security they have earned and paid for during their working years,” read the letter.

The letter was signed by 27 Democratic House members, including California Representatives Linda Sánchez, Grace Napolitano and Hilda Solís.

Martha Burk, chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, said that Hispanic women would be particularly affected negatively by such a proposal because they earn less money.

According to the group’s data, Hispanic women's earnings are on average 52.5 cents on the dollar of those of non-Hispanic white males.

The organization, which represents some 200 women's groups, also sent a letter to Thomas stating that if Social Security benefits will take into account gender, it should be done in a way that will compensate them.

(Rosa Ramírez is a correspondent with Hispanic Link News Service in Washington, D.C.)

© 2005 Hispanic Link News Service
02/06/05
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