“We will not allow the president to play retirement roulette and turn Social Security into social in-security. Instead we urge the president to work with us on a plan to keep Social Security intact and able to serve the coming generations.”

– Senator Schumer, New York

“The problems of health care can be solved if we stop giving tax cuts to those who have the most, and start making health care affordable for those working harder and harder for too little. I was disappointed the President did not spend more time addressing this problem that keeps millions of Americans up at night worrying about their children’s future.”

– Senator Kerry, Massachusetts

“We all know that the United States cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely and continue to be viewed as an occupying force. Neither should we slip out the back door, falsely declaring victory but leaving chaos. … We have never heard a clear plan from this administration for ending our presence in Iraq.”

– Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader, California

“I had no idea that ‘W’ stood for Wall Street. President Bush wants to place the retirement needs of millions of hard working women and families in the hands of his corrupt corporate cronies.”

– Rep. Louise Slaughter, New York

“The president left too many unanswered questions when it comes to Social Security. The long-term challenge faced by Social Security cries out for bipartisan action. President Bush says he wants an open review of options but he is not open to anything other than privatization.”

– Rep. Charles Rangel, New York

“I look forward to working with the president to put his words into action, specifically on making our immigration laws more fair, improving our schools, and providing Americans with affordable and accessible health care. But, I will not stand by while he hides behind speeches and rhetoric while the American people wait for action that really improves their lives, instead of just improving the profits of HMOs or big corporations.”

– Senator Kennedy, Massachusetts

“The president’s plan to privatize Social Security would replace a guaranteed benefit with a guaranteed gamble. It takes benefits away from people who have paid for them. And by any objective standard, it would dramatically cut the guaranteed monthly benefit for millions of our seniors. That’s not my definition of retirement security.”

– Rep. Richard Neal, Massachusetts