Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was recently under scrutiny for comments made during a 2010 debate regarding Social Security. In the debate held at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Walz expressed support for a plan that included adjustments to the retirement age and the cap on withholdings.
During the debate, Independent candidate Steve Wilson outlined a proposal that involved gradually increasing the retirement age and adjusting Cost of Living and Adjustments (COLA) amounts for Social Security beneficiaries. Wilson also suggested raising the cap on withholdings to generate more revenue for the program.
Following Wilson's remarks, Walz indicated that his approach to Social Security was 'very similar' to Wilson's plan. He emphasized the importance of Social Security as a vital anti-poverty program and rejected any notions of partial privatization.
Walz, who shared a personal connection to Social Security through his family's reliance on Survivor Benefits after his father's passing, reiterated his commitment to protecting the program. Despite his comments during the 2010 debate, a source familiar with Walz's views clarified that he does not currently support raising the retirement age.
Since the debate, Walz has consistently voted against proposals to raise the retirement age. In various instances, he opposed efforts to increase the age to 68, 70, and beyond. The Harris campaign has emphasized Walz's track record of defending Social Security and ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share to the program.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign reiterated Walz's dedication to safeguarding Social Security and highlighted his personal history with the program. They emphasized that Walz's support aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of strengthening Social Security through equitable contributions from high-income individuals.
