WASHINGTON — In new political maneuvering over Social Security, a Democratic lawmaker says he will introduce a plan Monday for shoring up the finances of the retirement system, putting him at odds with leaders of his party.
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) says that by imposing a 6% tax on wages above $90,000, to be paid half by workers and half by employers, the government could raise enough money to solve Social Security's financial problems for 75 years.
Workers and employers pay a combined 12.4% Social Security tax on wages up to $90,000 a year, but none on amounts above that.
In proposing the idea, Wexler has drawn praise from the White House but criticism from some in his party.
President Bush has made restructuring Social Security the top domestic priority of his second term, and he has urged lawmakers to engage in the debate.
But Democratic leaders have said they do not want to lay ideas on the table until Bush abandons the centerpiece of his own plan -- allowing younger workers to divert some Social Security taxes into individually controlled stock and bond accounts. Democrats say the accounts would drain money from the system, causing it further harm.
In an interview, Wexler said he was acting out of duty to his Florida district, which he said included the second-highest number of seniors of any House district. It includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties.
"My allegiance to seniors is greater than my allegiance to the Democratic leadership," Wexler said. "The president has challenged Democrats to come up with plans of their own for dealing with Social Security's solvency. I think it's time we met that challenge without cutting benefits or raising the retirement age."
Aides to the top House Democrat and the Senate Democratic leader predicted that Wexler would not draw much support from others in the party.
"He's a party of one on this," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Jennifer Crider, press secretary to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), said, "This is not the Democratic plan."
Bush's plans for Social Security have fared poorly in public opinion polls, and many Democrats have urged party members to avoid taking any steps that would distract voters from the principal Democratic contention: that the president is aiming to "privatize" the retirement program.
