[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         CUTTING MEDICARE NO WAY TO HONOR WORLD WAR II VETERANS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 
end of World War II, we honor the brave American soldiers who put their 
lives on the line to secure our freedom.
  But, we owe World War II veterans more than parades down Main Street, 
medal ceremonies, and memorials. We owe them the security of a decent 
and dignified retirement. Medicare is central to that promise. By 
cutting Medicare for seniors, Republicans break that promise.
  Under the Republican budget proposal, 37 million seniors will lose 
$900 a year, while 1.1 million wealthy Americans get a $20,000 
windfall. A side by side comparison, reveals the painful tradeoff: $305 
billion in Medicare cuts will pay for a $345 billion tax cut for the 
wealthy.
  This budget debate is all about priorities. All of us agree that we 
need to cut spending, but the question is where do you start. The wrong 
place to start is by cutting health care for seniors. If we truly want 
to honor the men and women who secured our future 50 years ago, let us 
secure their futures today, let's protect Medicare.

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