Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said in 2010 that his plan for Social Security was “very similar” to one that would raise the retirement age and tighten the withholding limit.
The Harris campaign is fighting back after Fox News Digital reviewed uncovered video of a debate Walz participated in during his 2010 congressional re-election campaign. The debate was held on October 12, 2010, at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Walz, the Democratic candidate and incumbent, faced independent candidate Steve Wilson and Republican Randy Demmer.
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Governor Tim Walz speaks to President Biden at Dutch Creek Farms, Nov. 1, 2023, in Northfield, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wilson first outlined his plan, which included gradually raising the retirement age. Walz responded later, saying his approach would be “very similar.”
However, Harris for President spokesman Joseph Costello told Fox News Digital that Walz “does not support raising the retirement age, and in fact, Walz has repeatedly voted to protect Social Security and against GOP efforts to raise the retirement age.”
During the 2010 debate, all three candidates were asked: “Regarding the federal budget deficit, what would you do about Social Security and Medicare in relation to the deficit?”
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Wilson, the independent candidate, responded first.
“Social Security is something we can fix, and we just have to think about what we're going to have to sacrifice together… There are three different groups of people who are affected by Social Security: one, the group that is making contributions; second, those who are ready to retire; and third, those who are receiving benefits,” Wilson said.
Wilson said those who contribute to the program are currently limited in the amounts that are deducted from their paychecks.
“If we allowed that price to go up a little bit more, then we could generate more revenue,” he said.
Wilson later said the retirement age should be raised.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear together onstage during a campaign event at Girard College on Aug. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“If you look at the second group, those who are retiring, if we adjust that retirement age a little bit and give people enough warning, remember the shared sacrifice, it's not just you that's affected, it's everyone,” Wilson said.
Wilson then said that people receiving Social Security benefits should have their Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) amounts adjusted.
On his website, Wilson explained his position in more detail: “The retirement age would begin to increase gradually over the three years following implementation of the safety net. It would continue to be indexed to long-term life expectancy.”
When it was Walz's turn, he supported Wilson's plan.
“Social Security is absolutely essential. It is the largest anti-poverty program the world has ever seen,” he said.
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“Social Security, as Steve Wilson said, who has very good ideas about Social Security, has thought about it, is honest about it, has put forward a plan that I think is very similar to the approach I would take in working with them on that,” Walz said.
During that debate, Walz argued against any “partial privatization” of Social Security. He also said his family was personally affected by Social Security after his father died when he was in high school.
Vice President Kamala Harris is greeted by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz before she delivers remarks at a campaign event, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“Social Security survivors' benefits were there to make sure we had the resources we needed to get through,” she said. “They were loaned to us by Social Security. It's a smart program.”
A source familiar with Walz's views at the time told Fox News Digital that “Walz does not support raising the retirement age now, and that is not what he suggested in this misleading exchange from 14 years ago.”
The source said that after winning the race in 2010, Walz opposed plans to raise the retirement age. In 2012, he voted against raising the age to 68; in 2012, he voted against raising the age to 70; and in 2014, he again voted against raising the retirement age to 70.
Asked for comment, Harris' campaign stressed that Walz does not support raising the retirement age and, while serving in Congress, voted against efforts to raise the retirement age.
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“For nearly two decades, as a governor and congressman, Walz has been a staunch advocate for Social Security,” Costello said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Like the Biden-Harris Administration, he supports strengthening Social Security by making the super-rich pay their fair share.”
Costello added: “As a teenager, he kept his family afloat after his father, a veteran, passed away from lung cancer.”
