[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 83 (Thursday, May 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   BUDGET DEBATE IS ABOUT REAL PEOPLE

  (Mr. BONIOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, this debate comes down to one simple 
question: Do you think we should be cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and 
Social Security in order to pay for tax breaks for the privileged few 
in our society?
  I can tell you one thing--Margaret Leslie doesn't think so.
  I have a picture here of Margaret. She is a senior citizen who lives 
in my district.
  During World War II, she was known as ``Margie the Riveter.''
  She helped build the B-29's that helped the Allies defeat Hitler in 
the Second World War. Today, she lives on Social Security.
  After paying for her rent, her medicine, her Medicare and MediGap 
premiums, she is left with about $130 each month to pay for food, bill, 
and everything else.
  Mr. Speaker, this budget before us today will take $240 out of 
Margaret's pocket because of cuts in Social Security.
  And over the next 7 years--it will force her to pay an additional 
$3,500 for Medicare.
  Not to cut the deficit. Not to balance the budget. But to pay for tax 
breaks for the wealthiest few in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to defeat this budget.
  

                          ____________________