[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8436-8437]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           ATTEMPTS TO DISTRACT ATTENTION FROM MEDICARE PLAN

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, last night we saw once again a great display 
of political theater. My friends across the aisle scheduled a vote on 
raising the Nation's debt limit, knowing that it would fail. The vote 
occurred specifically after the stock market closed because they knew 
the harsh effect that this game could have on the market. This was 
simply an effort to distract the public away from the disastrous 
attempt to end Medicare as we know it.
  Under their plan, from day one seniors will see an increase in the 
cost of prescription drugs and preventive health care. They no longer 
want to discuss the vote they took to end Medicare and force seniors to 
pay more for less.
  We all agree that smart, responsible budget cuts are needed. That is 
why Democrats and Republicans from the House, the Senate, and the 
administration are working together on a plan. We should allow the 
negotiators to continue their work in good faith with open discussions 
on the future of our economy and how to decrease our deficit.
  Mr. Speaker, now is not the time to play games with the American 
public.

[[Page 8437]]

We must focus on creating jobs, jobs, and more jobs, and move our 
economy forward.

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