Former presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said Wednesday that she strongly opposes the extension of the payroll tax cut because it raids the Social Security Trust Fund.
"I had warned my Republican colleagues, as well, over a year ago not to do this in the first place, don't go with this payroll tax cut," Bachmann said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Top congressional negotiators said Tuesday that they were “very close” to reaching a major deal on a payroll tax cut package. A vote is expected this week.
The deal would extend the two-percentage-point payroll tax cut through the end of 2012 without offsetting its roughly $100 billion cost. It would also extend federal unemployment benefits and prevent a scheduled cut in physician payments under Medicare. Those provisions would be offset with out spending cuts.
The Minnesota congresswomen accused Republicans and Democrats alike of supporting a measure that would threaten Social Security funding.
"That's why I oppose this measure," said Bachmann.
"I don't think it's the right way to go, I think it's a temporary gimmick and, let's face it, this payroll fund was established specifically to be a revenue stream to fund Social Security, so let's leave that."
The former White House hopeful has not endorsed any of the remaining four presidential contenders, but said she is focused on defeating President Obama in the general election.
Bachmann told MSNBC that she will be "on board" for whoever wins the GOP nomination.
"I'm not going to be here to rip apart any of the individual candidates. I just think it's very clear that we haven't seen any of the candidate make the final sale," she said.
