Ashcroft hopes for trust fund deal

Washington may be a little closer to keeping the trillions of dollars accumulating in the Social Security and Medicare trust funds from being diverted elsewhere. Senator John Ashcroft says he’s pleased with the agreement to a proposal he’s long favored. Though Ashcroft touts the agreement as a major breakthrough, other lawmakers are more cautious. They note Democrats have proposed an alternative to Ashcroft’s plan in the Senate and point out the House could strip the provision from the spending bill it’s currently attached to.