John Shadegg: “What we have before us is a purely political move by our colleagues on the other side to cover exactly what has happened…”

“What we have before us is a purely political move by our colleagues on the other side to cover exactly what has happened here yesterday. Let us make a point, first on substance. The language of the motion to recommit, which we have in front of us, does not protect the trust fund. It does not protect the Medicare trust fund or the Social Security trust fund. What it says is that we will not diminish the benefit obligations. You tell me what 'benefit obligations' means. The reality is the language we offered last night and that this House voted on last night protected the trust fund for Social Security, it protected paying down the debt, it protected Medicare, and it made sure that we did not raid Medicare over time. There were four certifications. This motion today is simply an effort by the other side to join us. I am glad that they are willing to join us. I am glad that they are not stripping this language, because the language they have offered does not go nearly far enough to protect the trust fund. Indeed, on its face it does not even claim to protect the Social Security trust fund. Last night in a vote on this floor, the vast majority of my colleagues on the other side voted not to protect the Social Security trust fund. They voted not to protect the Medicare program.”