[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2177-E2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOTION TO DISPOSE OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 2586, TEMPORARY INCREASE 
                      IN THE STATUTORY DEBT LIMIT

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                               speech of

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 10, 1995

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, when I was sent to Congress, my top 
priority was balancing the Federal budget. The people of the 49th 
district told me over and over again that Washington's practice of 
leaving our children debt, instead of a brighter future, was 
unacceptable.
  The new majority in Congress heard this resounding mandate from the 
public, and we acted. We submitted the first balanced budget since 
1969. President Clinton did not submit a balanced budget.
  Now we are faced with a stalemate between Congress and the President. 
I know that there is considerable public anger over what some may see 
as gridlock. However, I believe that this debate is about principles 
versus agendas.
  In our 7 year Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act, our tax cuts for 
working families were offset by reducing the growth of non-entitlement 
spending, while continuing on the glidepath to a balanced budget. We 
also eliminated the subsidy to the wealthiest senior citizens 
participating in Medicare part B--single seniors with incomes over 
$75,000 and couples with incomes over $125,000 will begin to pay higher 
premiums.
  President Clinton refuses to embrace our commitment to the principle 
that we will no longer tolerate mortgaging our children's future; we 
promised to balance the budget and we kept that promise. President 
Clinton's agenda is diverting attention from the indisputable fact that 
he does not support a balanced budget.
  The Republican proposal for Medicare part B is included our measure 
to keep the Government running through December 1. President Clinton's 
states that his specific objection, and the reason for his veto of this 
measure, was over Medicare part B.
  Medicare part B is the voluntary program which covers doctor's visits 
and outpatient care. Because the program is voluntary beneficiaries 
have not paid into a trust fund, as they have for Medicare part A, the 
hospital portion. Under current law, beneficiaries pay 31.5 percent of 
the premium for part B. Taxpayers subsidize the rest of the premium.
  What we are proposing is to maintain the percentage at its current 
level--31.5 percent. Because the costs of the program will rise next 
year, as they have every year, the dollar amount will rise from $46.10 
to approximately $53 in 1996--an approximately $8 per month increase.
  However, President Clinton is actually advocating dropping the 
percentage that premiums are calculated at to 25 percent and then 
raising them substantially again after the 1996 elections. The 
President is playing election year politics with the Medicare part B 
issue. He would cut revenues--by dropping the percentage to 25 
percent--and then would have to raise the percentage again in order to 
make up for this shortfall. This is highly irresponsible.
  Not only does President Clinton oppose a balanced budget, but this 
position on Medicare part B means that he believes taxpayers should 
subsidize a higher share--75 percent--of the costs of this voluntary 
program. It is exactly this logic which has resulted in the inevitable 
insolvency of the Medicare program is nothing is done to save it.
  We have remained steadfast to the principle of our balanced budget; 
President Clinton has resorted to a diversionary political agenda 
rather than negotiating in good faith with Republicans. Nothing less 
than the future we leave to our children is at stake.

[[Page E 2178]]

  The American people, who sent us here in the first place, know this 
and, I believe, support our efforts on our children's behalf.

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