John Shadegg: “This is an attempt to strike the legislation, to gut it, it is a red herring, it is to make sure that no funding can…”

“This is an attempt to strike the legislation, to gut it, it is a red herring, it is to make sure that no funding can ever be spent. The whole point, so my opponents say, is to stop the funding. They used the word 'kill'. They say it is designed to kill. They say it would kill the funding. Indeed they are prescient because they can read my mind and understand my intent. Well, let me make clear. This year the Secretary of Treasury could certify that, in fact, we are paying down the debt. We are on the track to eliminate the publicly held debt. This year, the Secretary of Treasury could certify and would certify we are saving 100 percent of Social Security. This year, the Secretary of Treasury could certify and would certify that we are not expected to run a deficit in Medicare within the next 5 years, and that Social Security is not expected to run a deficit within the next 5 years. All of the conditions set in this legislation are met this year. Indeed, it is very clear that this year, 2001, even if the Shadegg amendment is adopted, the bill's money will be spent exactly as urged. It is no attempt to gut the bill. It is about protecting Social Security. It is about protecting Medicare. It is about paying down the debt. This year, the money could be spent. It is not an attempt to gut the bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.”