[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             BIPARTISANSHIP NEEDED TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Bryant] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRYANT. Mr. Speaker, I come here tonight with a stronger hope and 
brighter optimism for a sound and stable future for this country.
  Bipartisanship is alive and well in the U.S. Senate, and we need more 
of it here in the House of Representatives.
  I would like to take a few moments to commend Senators Alan Simpson 
and Bob Kerrey--two Senators of opposite parties--for their willingness 
to put politics aside and work together to save Social Security.
  To me, the significance to be found in their effort is their 
realization of a big problem and their willingness to put partisan 
politics aside in order to go about the task of solving it.
  Mr. Speaker, in Monday afternoon's issue of Congress Daily, Senator 
Kerrey said, and I quote: ``I am the chairman of the Democratic 
Senatorial Campaign Committee, and so it's possible for us to come 
forward and say the DSCC is not going to go out and attack Republican 
Senators for doing the right and responsible thing. We can take 
politics out of it.''
  Senator Kerrey also said, and again I quote: ``I will not put 
blinders on and say, `well, I've got to attack somebody just because 
they're a Republican.''
  Senator Kerrey, if you're watching this, I thank you and applaud you 
for championing this crucial issue with someone from the other side of 
the aisle. The House of Representatives needs more bipartisanship like 
that of you and Senator Simpson.
  Like Social Security, one of the most crucial issues facing this 
Congress is preventing Medicare from going broke for the millions of 
seniors who depend on it.
  But no one seems to want to put politics aside, roll up their 
sleeves, and solve the problem.
  Instead, all we've heard are criticisms and attacks.
  What good are these attacks doing? What legitimate purpose are they 
serving?
  None. Nothing. All the carping, all the complaining, all the 
criticisms, are doing not one thing to save Medicare.
  In the May 29 edition of Newsweek magazine, it was reported that 
during a meeting of Democrats at the White House to discuss saving 
Medicare, Senator John Breaux suggested that Democrats join in a 
bipartisan commission to reform Medicare.
  The article went on to report that many of those present in the 
meeting rejected the idea, instead opting to let Republicans take the 
heat on this crucial effort.
  What kind of leadership is that? How can we make any real progress 
with that kind of an attitude coming from the other side of the aisle?
  Senator Breaux, you're right on target, and I appreciate your 
foresight of this important issue. We need more of that kind of 
thinking here in the House of Representatives. We're going to have to 
have it if we're ever to save Medicare.
  It's time for Congress to come together and devise a plan to preserve 
Medicare, and don't worry about who saves it.
  Saving Medicare won't be something that will take place overnight.
  It will require vision and foresight by the policy makers. Any 
Medicare reform proposal Congress proposes must entail reasonable, 
flexible, and common-sense alternatives for those who may choose to 
seek their medical care another source, such as an HMO.
  Saving Medicare will require understanding by the millions of seniors 
who depend on it. Any restructuring of Medicare will require some 
changes. But everyone must realize that if there are no changes, there 
won't be any Medicare.
  And most importantly, saving Medicare will require everyone in this 
body to work together if we are to realize success in our efforts.
  We cannot--we must not--waste our time haggling with each other about 
preserving Medicare, because in the next 7 years, father time will 
grant us no time outs, no reprieves, and no second chances.
  The many millions of seniors who are depending on us to save Medicare 
cannot afford gridlock.
  Like Senator Kerrey said, ``we can take politics out of it.''
  I hope everyone in Congress can come together like Senators Simpson, 
Kerrey, and Breaux. Together, we must devise a plan to save Medicare.
  I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to participate in 
the process of saving Medicare in a positive and constructive manner.
  We owe the millions of seniors of this country who are depending on 
us, our best effort.


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