Social Security versus Tax Cuts

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

1999 News of the Nation

In the aftermath of impeachment, angry Republicans in Congress intensified their anti-Clinton acrimony at the expense of legislation. Rabid partisanship and distrust characterized both sides of the debate on what to do with a surprising $14 billion in budget surplus projections. The President, riding high on glowing reports that the 1996 welfare overhaul had been a success, pushed for further social reform—specifically, revisions to the Social Security, education, and health care systems. Republicans countered with calls for drastic tax cuts during the federal budget negotiations for 2000, despite the fact that polls have repeatedly shown that Americans prefer increased social spending over tax breaks.