[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           REJECT ASSAULT ON SENIORS AND TAX CUTS ON WEALTHY

  (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of deep concern for 
America's seniors--the elderly men and women who built this country, 
and gave us everything we have today.
  For generations, the hallmark of the Democratic Party has been our 
commitment to seniors. That is why we fought for Social Security, even 
though the Republicans called it ``the lash of the dictator.'' That is 
why we fought for Medicare, even though the Republicans said it was 
``socialized medicine.''
  This week, the Republican assault continues. Virtually every 
Republican House candidate in this country has now signed a contract 
with their leadership--a blood oath which many candidates had not even 
seen before they signed it.
  The Republicans pledge to cut taxes for the wealthy, jack up defense 
spending, and balance the Federal budget.
  If you look at the numbers, it is clear that their budget would be 
balanced on the backs of our seniors.
  Since their giveaways to the rich would create a trillion-dollar hole 
in the budget--since they will not increase taxes or cut defense 
spending--and since Social Security and Medicare make up 40 percent of 
all funds available for cutting--they will have no choice but to make 
deep, devastating cuts in Social Security and Medicare--anywhere from 
24 to 33 percent of their budgets in the year 2002.
  Think about what a whopping 24-percent cut in a Social Security check 
would mean to an older American. Think about how a 24-percent Medicare 
cut would devastate elderly who need quality medical care. Let's face 
it--when you are living check to check, a tax cut for the wealthy, just 
does not pay the bills.
  Let us reject this assault on seniors--as we have rejected so many 
Republican assaults in the past. That is in the best tradition of our 
party--and the best tradition of human decency as well.

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