[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we are faced with an historic opportunity. 
Due do a robust economy, the Federal Government has a surplus for the 
first time in three decades. We should seize this moment to do what is 
fair, right and fiscally responsible: Protect Social Security and 
Medicare.
  Social Security and Medicare are the twin pillars of retirement 
security. Two-thirds of our seniors rely on Social Security for over 
half of their income. Medicare ensures that 99 percent of our seniors 
have the health coverage that they need. Combined, these two programs 
allow our parents to live with dignity, independence and peace of mind.
  Now that we have the opportunity, we should use the vast majority of 
this surplus, a full 77 percent, to strengthen Social Security and 
Medicare for the long-term security of our parents, ourselves and our 
children.
  Protecting Social Security and Medicare must come before a Republican 
tax plan, which would spend the surplus on a one-time, feel-good tax 
break that benefits mostly the wealthy. It is irresponsible and it is 
risky. Let us not jeopardize the long-term health of Social Security 
and Medicare for the short-term goal of an overzealous tax break.
  Let us do what is right, let us protect Social Security and Medicare.

                          ____________________