News Release

Washington, DC – Social Security Deputy Commissioner James Lockhart will join Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to discuss the Social Security program next week during a live statewide television call-in program. Crapo’s “Capitol Watch” airs the second Tuesday of each month on most cable access stations in Idaho. The program comes as Crapo and fellow members of the Senate Finance Committee are considering proposals to maintain the solvency of Social Security.

“Doing nothing means a 25% cut in Social Security benefits for recipients sometime around the year 2040,” Crapo noted. “There are many proposals on the table and this forum will be a way to get information about the ideas about improving Social Security out there, including the option that we hold off on any reforms. I am very pleased Deputy Commissioner Lockhart would make himself available to answer the questions of Idahoans.”

Lockhart is both Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer for Social Security. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the President’s Management Council and Secretary of the Social Security Board of Trustees.

Idahoans are invited to call in and ask questions of Senator Crapo during the live telecast by calling 1-800-736-8255 (SEN-TALK). The program airs from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Mountain/6 to 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday, June 14th.

“Capitol Watch” will air in the following cities over the following cable channels: Boise/Nampa/Caldwell 11 Coeur d’Alene 19 Idaho City 37 Idaho Falls/Blackfoot 19 Lewiston 13 Moscow 11 Pocatello 22 Twin Falls 60 The program is sponsored by the Idaho Cable Telecommunications Association (ICTA) and local cable systems throughout Idaho.

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