[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PROTECT OUR SENIORS

  (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support a resolution to 
protect our seniors from politically motivated cuts in Social Security, 
veterans benefits, and pensions.
  This Congress must balance the Federal budget and we must do so in a 
manner that is consistent with our Nation's values and honors our 
commitments to older Americans. These citizens have worked hard all 
their lives and now only want a dignified retirement.
  My North Carolina citizens have told me that we should not turn their 
cost of living adjustments into a political football behind closed 
doors in a Washington deal.
  Mr. Speaker, the professionals at the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
should be allowed to do the job for which they are hired: determine the 
Consumer Price Index free of political pressure and protect our 
seniors.

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