Social Security must be preserved and strengthened. But we need to be candid about the costs and willing to make the tough choices that real reform will require.

The fact is Gov. Bush's plan would leave the Social Security Commission only two choices: insolvency in 2023 or a 50% cut in guaranteed benefits.

There is a need for Social Security reform to ensure its stability, and Congress must act.

Social Security is a program that should be strengthened and preserved for future generations.

The budget surplus is $5.6 trillion. Two and a half trillion of that is put aside for Social Security and paying down the national debt, ... That leaves $3.1 trillion in surplus. That's after we've taken care of all existing spending. We're only asking that half of that, [$1.6 trillion] out of the $3.1 trillion, be used for tax cuts.

I think most people are not willing to make the tough choices.