Efforts to Set Up Benefits Talks Sputter (secret meetings on social security "solution") [View All]

[Robbien]

WASHINGTON - Back-channel efforts by the White House and Capitol Hill Democrats to begin trying to negotiate a solution to the fiscal problems of Social Security and other federal benefit programs appeared to collapse Wednesday.

At issue is a little-publicized attempt by the White House and lawmakers to set up a working group of lawmakers and top administration officials to construct a Social Security solution. Three-fourths of the group, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, would have had to agree on any solution.

But Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., accused the White House of acting in bad faith at a panel hearing that turned acrimonious over White House Budget Director Rob Portman's unwillingness to acknowledge that tax increases should be part of any fix for Social Security's long-term problems.

"We have an opportunity here to work together, but the only way I know in human relations for there to be resolution between parties who have different views is for both sides to compromise," Conrad said. "Unfortunately I see virtually none on your side. And I regret that more than I can say."

Conrad then gaveled the hearing to an end and immediately left.

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http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/02/07/ap/politics/d8n52k301.txt