Montana Takes Over Washington, DC

After two decades on the Finance Committee, Montana Senator Max Baucus finally has some clout. It remains to be seen how he uses it, but at least he's rejecting privatizing Social Security:

The incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said Thursday he wants to hold hearings on looming insolvencies in the Medicare and Social Security programs but said President Bush's plan to partially privatize Social Security is dead. "Don't waste our time," said Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana. "It's off the table." He said the rising cost of Medicare and other health costs is a priority for the committee, though he did not detail how the committee would approach those problems. He said he will hold "vigorous" hearings on the issue. Baucus said he will propose legislation to simplify the Medicare prescription drug program by streamlining the number of plans available and making it easier for people to choose one.