Walden Slammed by Party for Criticizing Obama on Social Security

Republicans leaders came out sharply against one of their own who criticized President Barack Obama’s plan to reduce Social Security increases, The Hill reports.

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, called Obama’s plan to cut the rise in benefits a “shocking assault on seniors” on Wednesday. Not long before, House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor had praised the president for including the plan in his budget proposal.

Chained CPI had been championed by the GOP as a way to save money and ensure the future of Social Security. Liberals have denounced it as hurting seniors.

Republicans have been pushing the alternative method of figuring cost-of-living adjustments in budget negotiations for some time. They almost killed fiscal cliff talks in December.

When Obama finally came on board this week, the GOP expressed support.

But Walden’s criticism during a CNN interview earned him a talking-to by Boehner. “I’ve made it clear that I disagree with what Chairman Walden said. He and I have had a conversation about it,” Boehner told a press conference. He declined to give specifics.

Walden wouldn’t say much either. The Hill noted that he dodged reporters on Thursday when they tried to ask him about it.

“His job is to hold the House,” a Walden aide told The Hill, and cuts to Social Security are not popular with voters.