(RoyalPatriot.com )- Commenting on the President’s proposed budget, Senator Bill Cassidy expressed disappointment that Social Security was not included in the proposal.
He has also recently responded to a new study from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that warns of a looming financial cliff for Social Security in less than ten years.
On Thursday, the Republican senator accused Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen of lying when she said President Joe Biden was eager to meet with Republicans to discuss Social Security. It triggered an outburst that prompted a reprimand from the panel’s chairman for violating norms of conduct.
At a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Bill Cassidy told Yellen that Biden has not been willing to meet with a bipartisan group of senators to discuss concerns with Social Security.
Cassidy questioned why the president didn’t seem concerned.
Yellen said, “He stands ready to work with…” and then was abruptly cut off by Cassidy.
He quickly shot down this claim, calling it a lie.
Cassidy denounced Yellen’s answer as “empirically” not accurate. He forcefully rejected the Yellen claim that Biden is willing to cooperate with Congress to solve potential deficits in Social Security.
Ron Wyden, the Democratic chairman of the committee, said to Cassidy that it’s inappropriate to accuse witnesses of lying, indicating that the debate lacked the dignity and respect usually due to Yellen as a former head of the Federal Reserve Board.
The Louisiana senator said he wasn’t trying to frame the Treasury secretary as a liar and knew she was only repeating official talking points.
To fuel the fire, Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson also showed signs of frustration with Yellen. Johnson inquired to Yellen about the ten-year deficits covered under Biden’s proposal.
Johnson chided, “You don’t know it off the top of your head?” as Yellen stopped to consult some paperwork.
It was a tough day for the beleaguered Treasury Secretary.
