[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                MEDICARE

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I call all my colleagues' attention to the 
Medicare spending graph I have here. In 1995, this is what the 
President said. He said the plan of the Republicans was excessive, and 
he vetoed our bill because of these excessive cuts.
  Now in 1997, he says, this budget over here keeps our fundamentals 
intact, protects Medicare for our parents, preserves and protects the 
program. Notice that this program is less spending than the one he 
vetoed in 1995. Let us review, Mr. Speaker. He vetoed a welfare bill 
three times, calling it extreme; yet he signed the identical welfare 
bill and tries to take credit. Then he goes on and talks about this 
Medicare program, this one with less spending, and says it protects our 
seniors whereas this one, which he vetoed, says it is extreme.
  Now he goes on to say, our tax cuts are excessive and will blow a 
hole in the deficit. Mr. Speaker, I think the President has credibility 
problems. Let us remember this history in this budget debate.




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