Feb 4, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

The president’s state of the union message that pushed for changes in the nation’s 70-year-old Social Security program while declining to give a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq has received differing reactions from the area’s federal legislators. U.S. Rep. John Murtha said Thursday that the “details” were lacking when President Bush spoke of his plan to restructure the retirement system.

“We need to see the details of what the president is suggesting,” said Murtha. “We need details of how we can get to where the president wants to take us.”

In the Wednesday night speech, Bush said that it was imperative that the Social Security system be reformed.

“Social Security – on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy. And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security,” he said. “Fixing Social Security permanently will require an open, candid review of the options (and) I will work with members of Congress to find the most effective combination of reforms.”

Bush is pushing for personal savings accounts to stave off the insolvency of the system, which he estimates to take place within the next 47 years.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster supports the president’s initiative, noting that a personalized system will ensure long-term solvency for the generations to follow.

“President Bush understands the system is in need of change. In fact, it is in a crisis,” said Shuster. “If the problem is not confronted today, it will cost billions more tomorrow.

“The president’s plan will not change anything for those already retired or nearing retirement, but is in serious danger for our grandchildren. Social Security must be fixed.”

While domestic issues were the centerpiece of the speech, Bush also discussed the future of Iraq, which he believes was enhanced Sunday when millions went to the polls to cast their votes in the nation’s first democratic election.

“The new political situation in Iraq opens a new phase of our work in that country,” he said. “We will increasingly focus our efforts on helping prepare more capable Iraqi security forces with skilled officers, and an effective command structure.”

Bush, however, declined to outline an exit strategy for U.S. troops as is being called for by Murtha and other Democrats.

“Now that the Iraqi election is over, we need to see details on how (Bush) plans to train the Iraqis to take over,” he said, adding that the war along with tax cuts have caused the deficit to escalate.

Shuster, meanwhile, said that as Iraqi forces become more self-reliant, the U.S. troops and other members of the coalition can begin to return home.

“American soldiers on the ground are preparing Iraqi forces day in and day out,” said Shuster, a member of the Armed Forces Committee. “The more forces we can train, the better and more independent Iraq becomes.

“The elections last week were a step in the right direction, but we need to continue this hard work.”