Johnson opposes parts of budget

February 22, 2005
By Steve Silverman

BLOOMINGTON- U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson said Monday he opposes reducing agricultural subsidies and eliminating funding for Amtrak in President Bush's proposed budget, and the Urbana Republican remains undecided on the prospect of private accounts for Social Security recipients.

Speaking to The Pantagraph Editorial Board, Johnson said Social Security is solvent for the current generation but faces long-term financial problems. He said he's willing to consider options, such as raising the retirement age and increasing taxes on higher-income people, but he stopped short of endorsing a solution and vowed to not support any plan that cuts benefits.

Johnson added that extreme political sensitivity to Social Security reform makes an agreement unlikely in this session of Congress.

"I think major structural changes that would overhaul the system and put it on a sound footing are pretty difficult," he said.

On other topics, Johnson emphasized the need for greater civility in Congress, expressed hope for financial improvements in the airline industry and called for reducing dependence on foreign oil.

And while he said he opposes setting a firm deadline, Johnson said the United States should start laying the logistical foundation for a withdrawal from Iraq .

"I think it's important that the United States , in the relatively near future, develop and announce an exit strategy," he said.

Johnson's swing through the Twin Cities also included stops at Illinois State University and the Illinois Farm Bureau. He said he won't support farm subsidy reductions in Bush's proposed budget, though he doesn't believe those cuts would have a major impact on small farmers.

The congressman also said he opposes leaving Amtrak, which received $1.2 billion in the last budget, out of the new budget proposal. He said some routes could be cut, but Amtrak needs continued funding because of its economic benefits for communities and to maintain an important piece of the national infrastructure.

"It's not a profit-making venture; it's not going to be," he said.

Johnson said the Iraqi elections were a success and he hopes a plan for withdrawing troops will be announced by the end of the year. He downplayed the possibility of military action against Iran , which has drawn world scrutiny for its suspected nuclear weapons program.

"I don't think there's a will for that right now," he said.