Ed Pastor: “we are very fortunate to be enjoying the prosperity and fiscal opportunities that come with a strong economy. Americans…”

“we are very fortunate to be enjoying the prosperity and fiscal opportunities that come with a strong economy. Americans should be proud of the productive labor force and technological achievement that have led to current and projected budget surpluses. But we must not lose sight of the big picture and squander our opportunity to use current prosperity to safeguard our future. The tax cut we are debating today does not consider the big picture. This bill would reduce funds that could be used to strengthen the Social Security system for the benefit of our children and grandchildren. It would jeopardize our ability to extend the life of the Medicare trust fund and create a Medicare drug benefit that is long overdue. Whey would we do this at a time when my constituents in Arizona, and Americans across the country, have made it clear that strengthening Social Security and Medicare are among the highest legislative priorities for American families? Republicans have argued that this proposal benefits seniors by reducing their tax obligation. In fact, this bill is a break for only the top 16 percent of Social Security beneficiaries and a threat to the majority of seniors who favor a Medicare drug benefit. It is a threat to the future of younger generations, who already lack confidence in Congress's ability to ensure that Social Security will be there for them.”