[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DEMOCRATS WANT TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, we in the Congress have an historic 
opportunity to save the twin pillars of retirement security, Social 
Security and Medicare. We have this opportunity because of a strong 
economy in this country that has resulted in a Federal surplus for the 
first time in three decades. At this historic juncture, Democrats 
propose to do what is right: save Social Security and Medicare while we 
have the financial ability to do so.
  Republicans, on the other hand, want to give a one-time tax break 
that flies in the face of fiscal responsibility. It is a shortsighted 
plan. It will not save Social Security and Medicare. It gives a 10 
percent tax break to those, most of whom are wealthy in this country. 
The lion's share of the plan goes to people making more than $300,000 a 
year. Middle-class families would get back less than $100.
  As one of their own said in today's Congress Daily, ``A 10 percent 
cut means nothing for most taxpayers.'' Democrats are for tax cuts, tax 
cuts that are targeted to middle-class families. The Democratic plan 
will save Social Security and Medicare, and give tax relief to the 
people who need it most.

                          ____________________