Democrats lost top Social Security leader

WASHINGTON – Stunned by the death of California Rep. Bob Matsui, Democrats head into the biggest legislative battle of President Bush’s second term without their top Social Security expert.

“I must admit that we never imagined we would have to go into a major debate on Social Security’s future without him,” said Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Matsui died Saturday. He was diagnosed several months ago with myelodysplastic disorder, an often-fatal form of bone marrow cancer. He was hospitalized Dec. 24 with pneumonia.

Today, Congress opens a new session expected to be dominated by Bush’s plans to remake Social Security. He wants to let workers divert a portion of their payroll taxes, which fund Social Security benefits for current retirees, into personal investment accounts similar to a 401(k).

Democrats are struggling to get out their opposition message. Leading the charge was Matsui, the top Democrat on the House Social Security subcommittee. Democratic committee spokesman Dan Maffei said lawmakers were shocked by Matsui’s death and hadn’t considered a replacement. No decision about the subcommittee assignment was likely until after the presidential inauguration at the end of the month, he said.

– Associated Press