July 12, 2011 12:30 PM

Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3

By
Corbett B. Daly
Topics
Economy ,
White House ,
Congress

President Obama on Tuesday said he cannot guarantee that retirees will receive their Social Security checks August 3 if Democrats and Republicans in Washington do not reach an agreement on reducing the deficit in the coming weeks.

"I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it," Mr. Obama said in an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley, according to excerpts released by CBS News.

The Obama administration and many economists have warned of economic catastrophe if the United States does not raise the amount it is legally allowed to borrow by August 2.

Lawmakers from both parties want to use the threat of that deadline to work out a broader package on long-term deficit reduction, with Republicans looking to cut trillions of dollars in federal spending, while Democrats are pushing for a more "balanced approach," which would include both spending cuts and increased revenue through taxes.

The Debt Limit fight: A primer

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are expected to hold another round of negotiations with Mr. Obama at the White House Tuesday afternoon on long-term deficit reduction, though talks have yielded little results to date.

Mr. Obama told Pelley "this is not just a matter of Social Security checks. These are veterans checks, these are folks on disability and their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out."

More from the interview:

Obama: Boehner "would like to do the right thing"
Obama: "Nobody can be messing with our embassy"
Video: Watch more of Obama's comments on the debt limit battle

Mr. Obama's comments followed remarks from the Senate's top Republican, who said Tuesday that he did not see a way for Republicans and Democrats to come to agreement on meaningful deficit reduction as long as Mr. Obama remains in office.

"After years of discussions and months of negotiations, I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is probably unattainable," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in remarks on the Senate floor.

Still, McConnell said Republicans would "do the responsible thing" to avoid default, suggesting that a deal on the debt ceiling could be reached without a "real" deficit reduction package.

"The president has presented us with three choices: smoke and mirrors, tax hikes, or default. Republicans choose none of the above. I had hoped to do good, but I refuse to do harm. So Republicans will choose a path that actually reflects the will of the people, which is to do the responsible thing and ensure that the government doesn't default on its obligations," he said.

Mr. Obama has repeatedly said he wants a deal that would allow the U.S. to avoid confronting the issue again until after the 2012 elections and vowed on Monday that he would "not sign a 30-day or a 60-day or a 90-day extension."

"This the United States of America and, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments. You know, we don't risk U.S. default on our obligations because we can't put politics aside," Mr. Obama told reporters at the White House yesterday.

Confused about the debt limit fight? Here's a primer
McConnell unveils debt "back up plan" that gives Obama more power
Pawlenty: Obama scaring people into higher taxes


Add a Comment See all 2766 Comments
by OETHREE August 7, 2011 1:23 AM EDT
THROW OUT THE REPUBICANS AND DEMOCRATS OUT OF THEIR OFFICES AND PUT HONEST PEOPLE IN THAT CARE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY AND THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY THE CURRENT PEOPLE IN OFFICE NOW CAN'T AGREE ON ANYTHING BUT WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY DON'T GIVE A DAMM ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE U.S.A.
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by designsbytonie July 30, 2011 7:26 PM EDT
I have a solution!! Take a freaking pay cut!! I depend on that money the same as coutless others do. YouThey sit in their fat office chairs, and private planes, eating fancy foods, and spending all they want! Want cutbacks to replace what you have already taken? tighten y
our belts for a change! aaarrggghhhh!
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by peaceangel123 July 30, 2011 9:36 PM EDT
The united States is in crisis, who in the world is going to help us.......It sounds like the new world order to me.
by Bobbie14 July 30, 2011 5:21 PM EDT
Yes, I have a few words about all this mess, Im not going to use all this big words and mumbo jumbo. What is going to happen the thousands and thousands of elderly people that are on Social Security? President, Congressman, Senator, whoever is in Charge!!!!! Why could'nt everyone have a last check and then let us know where we are to get our next rent payment, next meal, or even our next doctor's visit? As it is half of retired people are barely making it. I know cause my husband and I are one of them. We barely make, I say, we go to a general hospital waiting in line to get our medications that are very important, we go to food banks to get a little food to survive on and we go to churches to get hand me down clothes just to stay decent. So what are we supposed to do, when the President, Congressmen, Senators and all those rich people are driving in their limousines, eating at fancy restaurants, or having their help cook for their fancy meals. I must be nice to have a big beautiful house, with all fancy shmancy furniture and maids, cooks, and their butlers. I know how it is. And you we were hard working people for years and we paid our taxes even when half our lives the government didn't want to pay us back (no money) But yet we can make the money for you. And what about our poor men & women out their fighting for our Country, what is going to happen to them when they come home? They too will have nothing, How Sad, How very sad......yes I cry real tears when I have to write this and I am writing this only cause My husband and I are real AMERICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS
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by ACHERONLOVE August 7, 2011 1:38 AM EDT
You are absolutely right I have congestive heart failure 80% and the stress this put on me until my direct deposit was official makes me want to just slap those guys on Capital Hill. I know in my heart that there are a few honest politicians out there but they never get heard because they aren't fronting for Lobbyist and big companies i.e. Gas, Oil, Communications, Still Cigarettes and all the others that line the pockets of the big politicians with butt loads of cash for their vote on the hill. I am sorry but most of these politicians are JUST SIMPLY GREEDY so many have fortunes well above anything they could ever spend in their own lifetime and they are allowed and accept a salary as "our" representatives. They want to cut the budget how about cutting that out you got tons of your own money, you get all the tax breaks well for your service you don't waste our tax dollars on a salary which is probably less than they spent on their last weekend. Since most of them earn over $100,000 a year that alone would free up needed cash.

And I am sorry I always was the kid who dreamed of going into space, wanted to go to space camp, etc, but our space program is ridiculously expensive. I'd tell them to sit down and not only work on their next adventure into whereever they are seeking to go but how to make their organization more economically sound instead of a blank check they basically have with freedom to do even the dumbest ideas and cost us as tax payers a mint.

Complain about B. Clinton all you want blame him like the past 2 years with Bush and Now with Obama that it's his fault we are in this financial crisis. I don't agree with his affair but that was just stupid, millions of dollars spent by Ken Starr for an affair or affairs he had so what. Out economy was booming we actually for the 1st time in years had not only a balanced budget but we had a surplus of cash on hand. Clinton had the charisma that even Bush or Obama can live up to he was a statesman who inspired other countries and made them believe in our country again. 2 years out of office and Bush had us back in the money pit and Obama has made it worse he took Hillary's healthcare idea calling it Obamacare by the media and made it a joke and expensive.
by Littlebear1947 July 30, 2011 5:02 PM EDT
First you took away the cost of living raise now you or taking our checks away.I think that you or wanting the older people to sleep in streets and eat out of garbage cans because that is where you or sending us to if you stop our checks.You should cut the income that all of you in the house recieves then there would be enough money to get us out of dept.You all recieve more in one month then most of use make in a year.I guess that is ok after all the house does not want us older peple to survive.Thank you for nothing.
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by WhatIsRight4u July 29, 2011 10:19 PM EDT
Lets work together to make things better. We can't count on the government to manage our resources. All we need is Food Shelter and a way to pay some kind of tax to hire protection against those that commit crimes.
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by gunnersmateusn July 30, 2011 1:29 AM EDT
My question is HOW IS THERE NO MONEY TO PAY SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS WHEN WE'VE ALL BEEN PAYING INTO IT FOR YEARS!!!! ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS!!!! THIS CAN ONLY MEAN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN STEALING FROM THE FUND. REVOLUTION TIME!! TIME TO START CLEANING HOUSE PEOPLE!! WAKE UP!!!
by WhatIsRight4u July 29, 2011 10:13 PM EDT
Raise your own food or part of it. Take your car or truck to someone who knows what they are doing instead of a dealership who has mechanics that don't know what they are doing all that well. Give a helping hand to those that can't work. Almost Everyone can do something. Make those on assistance do something from helping in raising food for those on assistance to babysitting so others can work. It doesn't have to be a free ride. Something for everyone that is willing to do some kind of job to make things better and cheaper for out country. Stop making those using us as labor rich. Learn a trade or skill. Have your kids taught how to do things for themselves and not dependant on people to take care of their needs.
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by WhatIsRight4u July 29, 2011 10:02 PM EDT
I think the government could do a lot to make things better. For those on Social Security. Given a home from the forclosure list they could cut my Social Security $500 to $600 . I could raise some of my own food if the land was large enough for me to grow enough food. Maybe another $200 a month. I think the same thing would work with welfare . Our school system could be redone with kids being taught on the computer at home. When I was a kid my family was friends with a family that lived in the country on a piece of land owned by their relitives and the kids worked in the garden to raise food for the family , cut wood for winter and other jobs and it kept them out of trouble. We are a lazy fat country. Government made things good for the Wealthy when they prevented Shade Tree Mechanics in the name of better Auto Repair Service. Bull , you take your car in to a certified machanic and you still risk getting ripped off. I know I had to fix my daughters car after a trip costing almost $1,000.00 and the problem was still there. Turned out to be simple. Wrong spark plugs too cool firing and gas had flooded the motor. Mechanics today can't think a problem out they just read the book or look through a guide to figure it out. We need to go back to basics to end what has happened to this country.
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by kem1963 July 29, 2011 7:47 AM EDT
plain fact is peoples lives are in danger this effects thousands myself also,I get VA.DIC and I'm disabled no SS. but I'm not going to die from this mess I and my kids will survive but thousands could die, there the ones I worry about not the ones that may not get a pay check for a month and still be able to survive with out it, the stores will hurt but they to will survive.
Obama has known about this since Feb and said nothing. a few months ago the government was worried about a shutdown Obama and congress assured SS and Medicaid would not be effected why now, why scare people like this. to me its down right heartless on both sides
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by TheeAlleycat July 28, 2011 3:25 PM EDT
I does not surprize me that Obama when he does not get his way takes it out on the weak in this county and one thing is for sure he lost all chances of a another 4 years because 58 percent of all checks are written the Blacks and it was them that put Obama in office but then again who is to say what the real plan is for 2012 due to the fact that our government has several areas within the united states of large fields filled with plasitic coffins.
I seen this on u-tube one farmer said the government payed him 25.000 a month to house 400.000 coffins and that is just the tip of the iceburge because NASA explains that all the power grids will short out due to the solar activity no less than 6 to 14 months without power so were is this money really going snd for who? perhaps Opria can shed some light on her new found ministry
with over 16 million dedicated Opria clones and of course we all know Opria worships Obama.People better start storing up water and can food but most of all Guns.because when the power goes out do you really think the prison guards are gonna work for free? when the power goes out everything stops dead in its tracks. People better start learning the truth about this United States Of America
Everything changed after Kennedy was put out of his job and the new world order began.Stock pile on Ammo and water and can goods and medications this thing has been planned out bu Obamma since he took office and now you can see what he really is and where he is taking us.People need to get his ass out of office he had lied about where he was born and the truth id he has lied about every issue he said he stood for.This country is going to suffer back to the 1920 we will be and that is what Obama wants to neck cut the south from a revolt against this friend of the Anti Christ
He would never touch them jobs on capital hill nor cut his paycheck
after all he did say government retired forces on a pension check
let him cut out the 400.000 and all his perks that would be a good start then thin out congress by abouy 40 seats perhaps even start a parlement goverment were no one person can rule the world or atleast most of it with his signature perhaps there is another oswald out there I ma sure there will be once he cuts those checks from the old people and the disabled to die in there homes
perhaps that is what some of the coffins are for
something needs to be done
I knew he wasent one of the good ones
The Alleycat
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by marilynr43 July 28, 2011 3:51 PM EDT
TheeAlleyCat: Who is Opria??? Do you mean Oprah? Oprah Winfrey??
Also, I'm having trouble following your train of thought. You have alot of different ideas here that do not connect. What do you mean about 400,000 coffins?????
by peaceangel123 July 30, 2011 8:30 PM EDT
Jesse ventura was took off of the air because he was trying to warn people about what is going to happen.Believe it or not.They tryed to kill us off with the swine flu epidemic. The worst is yet to happen....Does it make you wonder about the goverment giving foreigners big lumpsum of money to start their own businesses and to live here and get free health care.not to mension the US going to war when the us is broke and helping other countries in crisis.What about the americans. Like it or not we are all paying for it.
by cjhill2006 July 28, 2011 2:16 PM EDT
If the government has a shut down on social security"it will effect people paying rent, and bills, then what will the people do about paying their landlords\'s rent for the month of august, how will we find resources if we depend on that income (social security) it really scares me because i have two children and i cant afford to be put out on the streets ,or staying in any shelter's, are you people of congress going to be trying to find a home for you and you children, or having fun eating a hearty meal and drinking wine and tossing -up while people like me and other's who are and may share some of the same problems such as handicap,so polls what do you think the next step should be for people undergoing the same type situations.
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