seattletimes.com · STEVE THOMPSON · September 8, 2026
As Social Security fund runs dry, some Republicans say it’s time to raise taxes | The Seattle Times [Skip Ad](#skip-0) [Skip to content](#content) [Skip Ad](#skip-1) [](https://www.seattletimes.com) [Business](https://www.seattletimes.com/business/) [Business](https://www.seattletimes.com/business/) * [Business](https://www.seattletimes.com/business/) * [Nation](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/) * [Nation & World](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/) * [Nation & World Politics](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/) # As Social Security fund runs dry, some Republicans say it’s time to raise taxes Sep. 8, 2026 at 7:11 am Listen to article Make us a preferred source ** ** ** By [STEVE THOMPSON](https://www.seattletimes.com/author/steve-thompson/) The Washington Post For decades, Washington has replayed the same fight over taming the soaring national debt: Democrats cite a need for more taxes. Republicans refuse. And anyone who suggests cutting the biggest source of spending – federal retirement benefits – gets attacked. Make us a preferred source ** See more Seattle Times content on Google The Seattle Times does not append comment threads to stories from wire services such as the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post or Bloomberg News. Rather, we focus on discussions related to local stories by our own staff. You can read more about our [community policies here](https://www.seattletimes.com/help/#commenting-on-articles-on-seattletimes-com). Recommended in [ #### As Trump turns up heat to disrupt vote by mail, courts should resist ](https://api.dappier.com/app/track/NB2HI4DTHIXS653XO4XHGZLBOR2GYZLUNFWWK4ZOMNXW2L3POBUW42LPNYXWKZDJORXXE2LBNRZS6YLTFV2HE5LNOAWXI5LSNZZS25LQFVUGKYLUFV2G6LLENFZXE5LQOQWXM33UMUWWE6JNNVQWS3BNMNXXK4TUOMWXG2DPOVWGILLSMVZWS43UF4======?type=article_click&site_domain=www.seattletimes.com&datamodel_id=dm_01jyq5by2vestshshymkb2qanz&request_id=9e84ab497488-ZTdOSG5Nlc-341593&origin=https://www.seattletimes.com&ref=www.seattletimes.com&utm_source=revcontent) [ #### Trump wants voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. The Republican Party is going along for the ride ](https://api.dappier.com/app/track/NB2HI4DTHIXS653XO4XHGZLBOR2GYZLUNFWWK4ZOMNXW2L3OMF2GS33OFV3W64TMMQXW4YLUNFXW4L3UOJ2W24BNO5QW45DTFV3G65DFOJZS25DPFVYHEZLUMVXGILLIMVZS233OFV2GQZJNMJQWY3DPOQWXI2DFFVZGK4DVMJWGSY3BNYWXAYLSOR4S22LTFVTW62LOM4WWC3DPNZTS2ZTPOIWXI2DFFVZGSZDFF4======?type=article_click&site_domain=www.seattletimes.com&datamodel_id=dm_01jyq5by2vestshshymkb2qanz&request_id=9e84ab497488-ZTdOSG5Nlc-341593&origin=https://www.seattletimes.com&ref=www.seattletimes.com&utm_source=revcontent) [ #### The GOP was confident about keeping its Senate majority. Now the fight for control is wide open ](https://api.dappier.com/app/track/NB2HI4DTHIXS653XO4XHGZLBOR2GYZLUNFWWK4ZOMNXW2L3OMF2GS33OFV3W64TMMQXW4YLUNFXW4L3UNBSS2Z3POAWXOYLTFVRW63TGNFSGK3TUFVQWE33VOQWWWZLFOBUW4ZZNNF2HGLLTMVXGC5DFFVWWC2TPOJUXI6JNNZXXOLLUNBSS2ZTJM5UHILLGN5ZC2Y3PNZ2HE33MFVUXGLLXNFSGKLLPOBSW4LY=?type=article_click&site_domain=www.seattletimes.com&datamodel_id=dm_01jyq5by2vestshshymkb2qanz&request_id=9e84ab497488-ZTdOSG5Nlc-341593&origin=https://www.seattletimes.com&ref=www.seattletimes.com&utm_source=revcontent) [ #### Texas is red, California blue — but for how much longer? ](https://api.dappier.com/app/track/NB2HI4DTHIXS653XO4XHGZLBOR2GYZLUNFWWK4ZOMNXW2L3POBUW42LPNYXXIZLYMFZS22LTFVZGKZBNMNQWY2LGN5ZG42LBFVRGY5LFFVRHK5BNMZXXELLIN53S23LVMNUC23DPNZTWK4RP?type=article_click&site_domain=www.seattletimes.com&datamodel_id=dm_01jyq5by2vestshshymkb2qanz&request_id=9e84ab497488-ZTdOSG5Nlc-341593&origin=https://www.seattletimes.com&ref=www.seattletimes.com&utm_source=revcontent) ****** Advertising [Skip Ad](#skip-14) [Skip Ad](#skip-15) [Skip Ad](#skip-16) [Skip Ad](#skip-17) [Skip Ad](#skip-18) [Go to homepage](https://www.seattletimes.com/) ### Get 4 weeks of unlimited digital access for $1 [Subscribe now](https://secure.seattletimes.com/accountcenter/subscribe/2c92a0ff64176cd401641ee6135f7dbd?subsource=paywall) Cancel anytime Looking for a print subscription?[View more offers](https://www.seattletimes.com/subscribe/signup-offers/?pw=overlay&subsource=paywall) Already a subscriber?[Log in](https://secure.seattletimes.com/accountcenter/) 