[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PRESERVING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND PAYING DOWN THE NATIONAL 
                                  DEBT

  (Mr. WISE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, the Congress this year will undertake the most 
sweeping domestic legislation probably in 40 or 50 years and certainly, 
in the case of Social Security, the most sweeping changes since Social 
Security was created in 1935. So I think there ought to be some basic 
premises here, particularly as we look at, of all things, a budget 
surplus, something no one ever expected to see.
  First, take 62 percent of that surplus and invest it in Social 
Security and in preserving Social Security. Preserve it for the 400,000 
West Virginians that depend upon it.
  Second, take 15 percent of that budget surplus, totaling 77 percent 
now, and save Medicare, for which 300,000 West Virginians depend upon 
for their basic health care, those over 65 and those who are disabled.
  Third, take that surplus and pay down the national debt.
  Mr. Speaker, now this is a program that America can rally behind: 62 
percent for Social Security to preserve it, 17 percent to preserve 
Medicare and, finally, paying down the national debt. Let us get 
moving.

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