[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               HELPING SENIORS PAY FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are working to pay 
down the debt and help seniors get the prescription drugs they need. 
Republicans believe that in this time of plenty, it is critical that 
Congress reduce the public debt and enact a prescription drug benefit 
for our elderly.
  As government surpluses pile up, we have a moral obligation to wipe 
out the public debt to provide our children with a brighter future. 
Reducing the public debt will strengthen the economy and result in 
lower interest rates for consumers. Our budget plan will pay down $240 
billion of the public debt next year alone. America is the most 
prosperous nation on Earth, yet some seniors here are forced to choose 
between putting food on the table and the prescription drugs they need 
to lead healthy and productive lives.

                              {time}  1015

  That is just not right. Republicans have passed a plan to make 
voluntary prescription drug coverage available and affordable to all.
  Mr. Speaker, as the 106th Congress enters the final stretch, 
Republicans are working to pay off the public debt and help seniors pay 
for their prescription drugs they need to live happy, productive lives.

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