[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      KEEPING THE MEDICARE PROMISE

  (Mr. FAZIO of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, after waging a war against our 
Nation's children by slashing school lunch and child nutrition 
programs, the Republicans have turned their sights on America's senior 
citizens.
  Yesterday, they released the details of a Republican budget that 
finances tax breaks for wealthy Americans by gutting Medicare.
  The Republicans intend to write their wealthy friends a check for 
$305 billion. And to finance this giveaway, they plan to force seniors 
to cough up an extra $900 a year.
  By targeting those with the most yet to give, our children, and those 
who have made the greatest sacrifice--our seniors--the Republicans are 
undermining a fundamental, moral obligation.
  This debate is not about deficit reduction. It is about sacrifice. 
The generation of Americans who now receive Medicare benefits 
sacrificed to bring this Nation great prosperity.
  A senior from my district--from Vacaville, CA--wrote to tell me that 
these programs are: ``promises made to people who earned these 
benefits.''
  Promises? Where have I heard that word before? ``Promises made, 
promises kept.''
  Obviously, this is one promise the Republicans do not intend to keep.

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