Mike Thompson: “I rise today against this rule. Members should have an opportunity to vote on an enhanced version of the bipartisan…”

“I rise today against this rule. Members should have an opportunity to vote on an enhanced version of the bipartisan Senate bill. That is the Blue Dog prescription drug benefit bill. Unfortunately for seniors across this country, our friends across the aisle have disallowed a debate on this better bill. It is better because it has a guaranteed fall-back, which means if seniors cannot get a PPO, they will have Medicare. It is better because there are no premium supports, which means seniors are not going to be penalize for staying in Medicare; and it is better because it does not privatize Medicare. Medicare is an important program that has saved the lives of many seniors, and an inclusion of a prescription drug benefit deserves an open debate. Mr. Speaker, I urge opposition to this rule so the Blue Dog proposal can be debated and seniors can have the best coverage that we can afford at this time. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the rule of the Republican Medicare Prescription Drug Bill, H.R. 1. It serves only one purpose-- ensuring that the voices of several in the Democratic Party are never heard on this critical issue.”