[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 25, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H603-H604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1220
                        BATTLE OF THE CONTRACTS

  (Mr. DURBIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. Speaker, stay tuned America for the battle of the 
contracts today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 
one corner the Republican contract, which 
[[Page H604]] will bring us today the balanced budget amendment. And 
what is included in the amendment which my Republican colleague 
applauds? Opportunities to make deep, slashing cuts in Social Security 
and in Medicare. In fact, every version of the Republican contract on 
the balanced budget amendment leaves Social Security and Medicare 
vulnerable.
  How vulnerable? In my home State of Illinois some 30 percent in cuts 
in Medicare are projected, reducing the benefits for senior citizens, 
more out-of-pocket payments and the closing of rural and inner-city 
hospitals.
  And in the other corner the Roosevelt Democratic contract. 
Roosevelt's contract for Social Security, 60 years now of dignity and 
independence for senior citizens, and a Democratic contract on 
Medicare, which makes sure that seniors do not have to worry, as they 
did in the past, about the payment of medical bills.
  As Speaker Gingrich and others reminisce about FDR, they might want 
to reflect on his values and the time-honored contract he made with the 
American people, today, in this debate.

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