[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REPUBLICANS BALANCING THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR NATION'S SENIORS

  (Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my outrage with the 
Republican proposal to balance the budget on the backs of our Nation's 
senior citizens. The Republican budget proposal would force our seniors 
to pay more than $1,000 out of pocket each year while giving the very 
wealthiest 1 percent of Americans a windfall of $20,000 a year in tax 
cuts.
  It is outrageous that, at a time when our Nation's seniors are 
struggling more than ever to make ends meet, the Republicans have 
chosen to make it harder than ever for them to access quality health 
care. While it is important to work toward a balanced budget, we cannot 
force seniors to pick up the tab, while to add insult to injury, giving 
a tax break to the very wealthiest Americans. The Republicans claim 
that they must cut Medicare, because they project that the entire 
system will be out of money in 7 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues, ``But even if you accept the 
Republican figures, and I don't, their Medicare cuts are 2\1/2\ times 
greater than called for to make their figures balance. The real purpose 
of this drastic cut in Medicare is to pay for a windfall for the very 
wealthy, not to save the future of Medicare for seniors.''
  Again I say, Mr. Speaker, ``For shame.''
  

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