Grassley: Social Security reform off table

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said Social Security reform is unlikely to be addressed until at least 2009.

Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance committee, said in a speech before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: "I can't even get consensus among Republicans, so I'm very pessimistic about it in the future." The Hill, a Washington newspaper in reporting Grassley's comments said the senator's concerns are based on a tough political climate for Republicans next year and the 2008 race for president.

The Hill reported Wednesday Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La., and a leading proponent of Social Security reform in the House, said he wasn't as pessimistic as Grassley. However, his Social Security bill has not been touched since he introduced it in July.

President Bush made Social Security reform a centerpiece of his second term from the time of his inauguration speech. He spent much time on the road trying to drum up support for a plan that would include private accounts for some Social Security funds.