[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SGR LEGISLATION
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have spent a little bit of time talking
about the sustainable growth rate--the doc fix--or the SGR. Before the
Senate recessed for the Easter break, Republicans were unable to agree
on how to prevent the physician pay cut. Democrats were ready to
proceed. The last night we were here, we said: When we come back, we
want to move this House bill forward. We want three simple amendments.
We still feel the same way. We are willing not only to move forward
on those amendments, but we will give a very short time agreement on
each one of them.
The Republican leader said when bills come to the floor, he wants to
have amendments. We don't want to amend this bill to death. We want
three simple amendments. We said that the night we were here when
closing the Senate for the Easter recess, and we say it again. I wish
Republicans would have joined us years ago in our efforts to repeal
this faulty law, but they did not do that.
Regardless of the history, we have an urgent need before us today to
get this bill done. Each day that passes without doing this SGR, this
sustainable growth rate--to get rid of it is basically what we are
doing. It would be a good day for America. It would also be a good day
for America when we can confirm Loretta Lynch. Each day that passes
without her confirmation and without a doc fix is just another example
of Republicans' inability to govern.
Mr. President, would you announce the business of the day.
____________________