[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REPUBLICANS ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

  (Mr. RIGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. RIGGS. Mr. Speaker, liberal Democrats are content to let Medicare 
go bankrupt. Some even deny the importance of the report by the 
Medicare trustees that show that Medicare will be bankrupt by the year 
2002.
  This is unacceptable. This is a total denial of reality. Liberal 
Democrats would rather sit back and watch Medicare go bankrupt than 
gather up the courage to save this program. They would rather demagogue 
than lead.
  There is no excuse for this inaction. Medicare must be saved and 
strengthened for current and future seniors. Over 35 million Americans 
depend on Medicare right now. If we do nothing, as the liberals 
suggest, those 35 million Americans will have no Medicare in 7 years. 
It will be bankrupt. What will liberals tell our grandparents then?
  Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of this Congress Republicans have 
tried to reestablish priorities. Surely our parents and grandparents 
come before petty politics and demagoguery, and that is why we will 
save and strengthen Medicare.

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