Political Quotes

“when the budget agreement was announced in May, I expressed a great deal of skepticism about whether it would provide adequate tax relief to hard-working American families, whether Medicare's solvency would be assured, and whether the savings necessary to achieve a balanced federal budget would really be obtained. After reviewing the two bills that are before the Senate today--bills intended to implement the budget agreement--I must still conclude that they are, by themselves, inadequate. Too little tax relief is provided to Americans--with or without children--who go to work every day, play by the rules, and struggle to make ends meet. Too little is invested in creating jobs and making our country more competitive. The legislation does extend Medicare solvency, but only for a decade. It is disappointing, to say the least, that President Clinton failed to step up to the plate and fight for the significant reforms that an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of the Senate supported to put Medicare on a more stable footing for our children and grandchildren in the decades to come. Nevertheless, Mr. President, the bills represent steps in the right direction.”