Heller bill seeks to remove Social Security from debt debate

WASHINGTON -- A bill introduced Wednesday by Rep. Dean Heller seeks to shield Social Security from the debate over whether Congress should authorize the government to continue borrowing to pay its debts or risk going into default.

The Nevada Republican's bill said that if Congress fails to raise the $14.3 trillion borrowing limit, then taxes and other revenues collected by the Treasury Department would go first to Social Security recipients and to pay holders of U.S. debt.

Heller said the bill "is an insurance policy in case the debate on the debt limit doesn't go well."

The bill is a companion to a Senate bill introduced this week by Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said earlier this month that bills seeking to prioritize the government's obligations are "unworkable" and would fail to shield the United States from harm if the debt limit is not increased.

Heller said the protest from the Obama administration "is a scare tactic," contending the Treasury Department can maneuver accounts for a short while to avoid default. He said his legislation "puts a certain comfort level out there for the public and for members also."

Republicans and the Obama administration are heading toward a showdown on the debt limit that the Treasury Department says will be reached sometime between April 31 and May 5.

Democrats and many Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, have said that failing to authorize further borrowing would be disastrous to the economy and the United States' standing in the world.

But GOP deficit hawks view the debt ceiling as a symbol of the United States' inability to control its spending and are holding out for deep budget cuts or other cost control concessions from the Obama administration to ensure their vote.

Heller voted against raising the debt ceiling in December 2009.

With the borrowing limit to be reached this spring, "it is going to take a lot of negotiations between now and then to get me to vote for the debt ceiling," Heller said.

"It is going to take some serious changes in how we do business around here."