[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2443]]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4241, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the devastation we 
will cause by passing this small little act tonight. In fact, we are 
trying to further reform welfare and improve the system of delivery of 
the services and goods for those in our society who need them most.
  Something that really surprises me, though, is there is really no 
plan from the other side. I have noticed in our hallways the Democrats' 
signs crying for action on the Federal deficit, but I have yet to see 
their plan to deal with the deficit.
  Blue Dog Democrats have billboards in front of their offices 
declaring how much each family owes on the federal debt, but they have 
no plan to reduce it. There are more plans on the television show West 
Wing than the Democrats have here in the United States House of 
Representatives. There are more plans on the other political shows 
about how to deal with the problems of today, but we get no plans or 
help from the other side.
  We need some Blue Dog Democrats that that will actually hunt. We need 
dogs with bite rather than a large bark. Right now all we hear is a lot 
of noise from the Blue Dogs, but there is no action and there is no 
plan. All we hear are complaints about trying to improve the system.
  I will give you one quick example. In Kansas, Medicaid claims are 
only correct 3 out of 4 times. One out of 4 times the payment is 
inaccurate. We need to reform that system. You would not get on an 
airplane today if you had a 3 out of 4 chance of getting to your 
destination. You would not start a trip today if you had only a 3 out 
of 4 chance of getting to your destination. When we make a Medicaid 
payment in the State of Kansas, it is wrong 24 percent of the time. 
This legislation includes reform to help improve our Medicaid system, 
so those who are truly in need get the services they require.
  But the other side doesn't want to do that. We need to pass this 
legislation, reform the welfare system, and do the right thing about 
the Federal budget.

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