[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND PARTISANSHIP

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have been working hard to design 
a plan to help America's seniors get the prescription drugs that they 
need. No senior should ever have to choose between putting food on the 
table and getting the medicine they need. American seniors need our 
help.
  Now we have a plan that is working its way through the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means and should be 
voted on soon. The Democrats have their plan, too. The Democrats plan 
may be too expensive and inefficient, but I think we in the majority 
are willing to work with them.
  Unfortunately, it looks like our friends on the other side of the 
aisle are not willing to reciprocate. The Washington Post reported on 
Tuesday, and I quote, ``Democratic strategists are advising candidates 
to tout the Democrats' plan and are encouraging them to take shots at 
the Republicans.''
  Mr. Speaker, that story was written on the same day our plan was 
unveiled; before even reading it, already attacking it. Looks to me 
like our friends on the other side of the aisle are just out for 
political points, not to solve problems. I hope they will prove me 
wrong.

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