Reichert will host a forum on Social Security

U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, will host a Social Security forum tonight for 350 constituents.

The forum, moderated by James Vesely, The Seattle Times' editorial page editor, will feature three panelists: Rob Nichols, assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department and previously an aide to former Reichert's predecessor, Republican Jennifer Dunn; Paul Guppy, research director at the Washington Policy Center, a Seattle think tank; and Sally Canfield, assistant to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees will be able to pose questions to the panelists.

The forum is one of many being scheduled in congressional districts around the country. The White House, trying to drum up support for President Bush's plan to replace part of Social Security with individual savings accounts, has encouraged GOP members of Congress to publicly defend the president's plan in meetings with constituents.

Reichert hasn't taken a strong public position on Social Security. "He agrees with the president — everything should be on the table," said Mariana Parks, Reichert's district director. "He wants to hear what all the options are" before making a decision, she said.

Under Bush's plan, younger Americans could divert up to 4 percent of their income subject to Social Security taxes into personal accounts in exchange for a reduction in their guaranteed benefit.