[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REPUBLICANS AND MEDICARE

  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans are having a hard time 
explaining to 35 million Americans who rely on Medicare that their 
benefits will be cut to pay for a $350 billion tax break for the 
wealthy.
  Now, Republican leaders are attacking the President because he 
refuses to join them in slashing Medicare to pay for their unjust tax 
break. Republicans also fail to mention that the President has in fact 
extended the life of the Medicare fund in legislation that Republicans 
voted against last year.
  The truth is that Republican cuts to Medicare would make the average 
Medicare recipient cough up $900 more each year out of their own 
pockets.
  In my State of New Mexico alone, 200,000 Americans will be forced to 
reduce their food budget or their heating costs to pay for this unfair 
tax cut.
  Mr. Speaker, the President is right. We should favor Medicare reform 
that protects benefits for Americans, but cuts in Medicare should not 
pay for a tax break for the wealthy. The American people will not be 
fooled.


                          ____________________