[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATORS SEEK TO SHIELD MEDICARE

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to report how more and more 
conservative Republicans at the Jersey shore, which I represent, are 
coming out against Speaker Gingrich's Medicare cuts. If I could read 
from the Asbury Park Press in my district yesterday: State Senator 
Leonard T. Connors and Assemblyman Jeffrey W. Moran and Christopher 
Connors, all Republicans from Ocean County have written to Bob Dole and 
Speaker Gingrich to ask them to back off on the proposed cuts because 
of the impact they could have on senior citizens, and I quote: 
``Americans want Congress to cut the pork, but balancing the staggering 
Federal deficit or financing tax breaks for the rich on the backs of 
our elderly is morally bankrupt,'' the lawmakers stated in their 
letter.
  Mr. Speaker, they also said, ``Jacking up Medicare part B coverage 
from $552 annually to $1,100 under your announced plan is signing a 
death warrant for millions of senior citizens across America. To save 
electricity, the seniors live in darkness. Their diet is poor. They 
scrimp and save for goods and services middle-class Americans often 
take for granted. A $564 increase in their Medicare premium is a stake 
in the heart,'' the Republican legislators wrote.

                          ____________________