Reagan Warns Democrats on ‘Lying in Their Teeth’ : Denies He Broke Vow on Benefits

WASHINGTON — President Reagan acknowledged today that he faces a fight in Congress over the budget compromise he struck with Senate Republicans, but he said Democratic critics “will be lying in their teeth” if they charge that he went back on a pledge not to cut Social Security benefits.

“How is adding a 2% raise each year cutting it?” Reagan asked as he spoke with reporters before flying by helicopter from the White House lawn to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and boarding Air Force One for a flight to California.

Reagan announced agreement with Senate GOP leaders Thursday on a budget that provides for less growth in military spending than he proposed initially and limits cost-of-living increases for Social Security recipients.

Eager to Talk

So eager was the President to talk to reporters today that he ordered the engine of his helicopter turned off so he could answer questions on the White House South Lawn.

“Do you think the Democrats are going to beat up on you on that Social Security?” Reagan was asked.

He replied, “Well, if they do, they’ll be lying in their teeth, as they did in 1982” in a previous debate over Social Security.

Reagan had opposed any decrease in Social Security benefits, saying he would accept such a move only if there was an overwhelming bipartisan demand for it in Congress.

But he accepted a formula that limits increases to 2%, regardless of inflation, unless the inflation rate goes over 4%. The formula also guarantees that recipients would receive 2% increases even if inflation were less than that.

Not a Reversal

Reagan insisted this was not a reversal of position because “they were talking about totally canceling it; that regardless of what inflation might be, there would be no increases.

“We’re providing a guarantee--more than 6%, because it’s compounded over a three-year period--regardless of what inflation is.”

Reagan met with Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) just before leaving.

“We all agree; it’s going to be a fight,” he said. “It’s been a fight since 1981. There are factions in there that just want to keep on spending in the Congress.”

But he said he and the GOP senators were “very optimistic and hopeful.”

Domenici told reporters, “We talked about how difficult it is going to be, and it will be.”

Military Spending Limit

Asked about his agreement to limit the growth of military spending to 3% per year after inflation, about half what he wanted, Reagan said, “There are things that I think were worthwhile that will not be done now for a while--be delayed--but no weapons systems will be slowed down or cut out of the military budget, so that we can honestly say that with this our national security capability has not been reduced.”

“Is 3% the bottom line?” he was asked.

“Yep.”

“(You will) not go any further?”

“Nope.”

Asked how he would go about selling his budget, Reagan said, “I think we will use all the normal methods to tell the people about it, because I think the people are most interested in it.”

The proposal calls for $52.1 billion in cuts in a move to reduce next year’s deficits to $175.3 billion.

Air Force One landed at Point Mugu early in the afternoon and the Reagan party proceeded to his secluded ranch near Santa Barbara for a 10-day stay. Aides said he would return to Washington on April 14.

The trip marked the start of Reagan’s second vacation this year. He spent five days at his ranch during February. Since taking office in 1981, Reagan has spent about 12% of his presidency at the ranch.