WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- In the face of stiff Democratic opposition, the U.S. Senate's top Republican says restructuring Social Security may have to wait until next year.
"In terms of whether it will be a week, a month, six months or a year, as to when we bring something to the floor, it's just too early," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Frist told reporters he supports the president's proposal for creating personal investment accounts as part of the package, but acknowledged the plan is in trouble.
However, White House spokesman Trent Duffy told the Washington Post President Bush remains committed to winning passage of new legislation, although he would not speculate on when the president might get a vote on his plan.
"There are plenty of times that official Washington has said the president won't succeed, and he has," Duffy said.
As polls are showing growing skepticism about the overhauls to the 70-year-old retirement system, several Republican leaders -- including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif. -- have urged Bush to stick to generalities while they devised a detailed plan.
