Bush plan to pay Mexicans benefits fought

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Two Republican congressman are trying to block President George Bush's plan to pay Social Security benefits to Mexicans who have worked in the United States.

At issue is an pact known as a totalization agreement the Bush administration signed with Mexico in June that would allow Mexicans who have worked in the United States, including some illegal immigrants, to receive Social Security payments.

The United States has signed 20 totalization agreements with other nations, including most of Western Europe. Such agreements allow nations to coordinate tax payments into, and benefit payments out of, their various public retirement systems.

Rep. Virgil Goode Jr., R-Va., told the Washington Times he would introduce a resolution Wednesday calling on the president not to submit the agreement to Congress. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., has also prepared a resolution to block the deal.

"It may not be the intent of the White House and the Social Security Administration, but the result would be a massive drain on Social Security funds, and that is not the way to begin a debate on strengthening Social Security," Hayworth said.