JACKSON - Next Wednesday, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will headline a fundraiser for Tim Walberg at the Commonwealth Commerce Center in Jackson from 8:00-9:30am. Earlier this summer, Boehner told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "he'd favor increasing the Social Security retirement age to 70." Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) called on Walberg to tell voters whether or not he agrees with Boehner's plan to increase the retirement age and cut Social Security benefits for Michigan seniors.

"If Tim Walberg agrees with John Boehner's plan to cut retirement benefits by raising the retirement age to 70, he should be honest for a change and say so," said Schauer. "If not, he should have the courage to stand up for Michigan values by refusing to raise money with someone who wants to cut Social Security benefits."

During a June interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Boehner said, "I think that raising the retirement age - going out 20 years, so you're not affecting anyone close to retirement - and eventually getting the retirement age to 70 is a step that needs to be taken." [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 6/29/10]

Last week, Tim Walberg issued a statement that said, "I have always opposed privatization of the Social Security system." However, several newspapers printed quotes from a recent interview Tim Walberg gave to the far-right group Independence Caucus, where he said, "Yeah, when you throw the word privatization out, a seasoned campaigner like me understands that that is a buzzword that is just about as negative as a noose hanging around your neck. But in talking with you, we all understand what that means, and I would definitely support the privatization of the so-called Social Security system." [Citizen Patriot, 8/16/10]

Congressman Schauer recently signed a pledge to protect Social Security, and fight any attempt to privatize the program or cut retirement benefits for Michigan seniors. [Daily Telegram, 8/15/10]