[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 42 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BUSH PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAX COUNTDOWN

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, President Bush simply has no compassion 
for millions of seniors who are trying to determine which of the 
prescription drug plans is best for them. Forty days from now, seniors 
must choose a plan or face a Bush prescription drug tax for the rest of 
their lives.
  Last month, a woman struggling to help her elderly mother pick a 
prescription drug plan asked the President to extend the enrollment 
deadline. President Bush refused, telling the woman that helping her 
mother was her responsibility. The President's answer shows that he is 
still listening to drug companies and not the American people.
  Seniors, people with disabilities and their families, need more time 
before making a crucial health and financial decision. Democrats do not 
believe seniors should be penalized because they cannot understand this 
complicated drug plan. That is why Democrats are fighting to extend the 
enrollment period by 6 months.
  As we check off another day on the calendar, House Republicans now 
have 40 more days to stand up and support America's seniors. It is time 
they joined the Democrats in fighting to ensure the prescription drug 
tax, pushed by this President, does not take effect on May 15.

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