Dems nix Bush Social Security appointee

WASHINGTON -- An advocate of partially privatizing Social Security, nominated by President Bush to become deputy director of the half-billion-dollar retirement income program, was rejected by Senate Democrats.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said his panel will neither consider nor hold hearings on Bush's choice of Andrew Biggs, who was an outspoken enthusiast behind the president's ill-fated plan two years ago to let people divert some of their Social Security taxes into private investment accounts.

"It's a bad idea to give the No. 2 position at the Social Security Administration to someone who still supports that failed proposal," Baucus said.

White House spokesman Alex Conant said Baucus is wrong to deny the Senate and public a chance to hear from the nominee.

"By blocking the nominee, Sen. Baucus is blocking an open and honest debate," Conant said. "If the senator wants a real discussion of how to make Social Security solvent for our children and grandchildren, then let's have a hearing."

Biggs is now associate commissioner for retirement policy at the Social Security Administration. Reached at his office, Biggs said he had met with Baucus but declined to comment on the senator's statement.

"It's not something I feel really comfortable talking about," he said.