[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E194-E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE LOCK BOX ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                             HON. BOB RILEY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2001

  Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, protecting America's retirement must be of 
the highest order. H.R. 2 is extraordinarily important for guaranteeing 
a secure retirement for Americans. Our Government must never revert 
back to raiding the Social Security trust fund.
  We have a moral obligation to not allow the Medicare or Social 
Security surpluses to be carelessly squandered. All funds that are 
originally designated for Medicare or Social Security must stay there, 
regardless of a surplus or not. This legislation mandates that no 
Social Security or Medicare surpluses can be used for any other purpose 
other than debt reduction or Social Security and Medicare reform 
legislation. The creation of a ``lockbox'' for these funds, I believe, 
is essential for maintaining the current status of Social Security 
benefits and for protecting the future retirees in our country.
  Every American citizen has been promised a secure retirement and 
access to health care in their twilight years, and as representatives 
of these citizens, we not only have a professional duty, but a moral 
obligation to keep that promise. The Social Security and Medicare 
LockBox Act will guarantee that these funds will be out of the reach of 
wasteful government spending and kept secure for today's beneficiaries 
and future retirees.

[[Page E195]]

  I urge my colleagues to join me today in support of the Social 
Security and Medicare Lockbox Act.

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