[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN OPPOSITION TO THE RYAN BUDGET

  (Ms. HIRONO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, today we are beginning to get some of Budget 
Chairman Ryan's proposals for so-called ``fixing'' our economy.
  He doesn't propose eliminating tax breaks for the hugely profitable 
oil and gas industries. He doesn't consider asking multimillionaires to 
pay a fairer share. In fact, he wants to reduce the top corporate and 
individual tax rates so that middle class Americans can pay even more.
  Instead, he is focused on cutting the safety net programs for our 
seniors and those less fortunate. He plans to turn Medicare into a 
voucher plan and to dramatically restrict eligibility for Medicaid.
  Last week, Majority Leader Cantor clearly explained Republicans' 
plans for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security when he said, 
``Listen, we're going to have to come to grips with the fact that these 
programs cannot exist if we want America to be what we want America to 
be.''
  It is clear whose side Chairman Ryan and Majority Leader Cantor are 
on. I stand with the Nation's seniors and the working people who are 
counting on Medicare and Social Security when they retire. When will 
these heartless attacks on the most vulnerable members of our 
communities stop? How about a little aloha?

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