On the recordOctober 3, 2023
I have to tell you, there is a virus infecting this Congress, and it is not the 'rona. It is Republican testosterone poisoning. All year long, we have heard not one peep from Republicans about Social Security or Medicare--nothing. They have been passing legislation that erodes the health protections of Americans and then high-fiving after these horrible bills pass. They won't admit that 63 million seniors will be hurt by their cuts to Social Security--so watch out, granny, because they are coming for you--or that they will cut the lifeline of millions who depend on Medicare to survive. Instead, we have been stuck in this Republican romper room. The American people don't want to hear your lies, and they don't want to watch your Republican civil warfare meltdown. They care about their healthcare, jobs, keeping the government open, growing the economy, and protecting us at home and abroad. They care about being able to put food on the table and having a home to go to. They care about having a Social Security check in the mail, one that they were promised for their years of work. They care about what is real to them, and you are not it. For this reason, I ask my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can bring up H.R. 178, an important piece of legislation affirming the House's commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their comments to the Chair and not to other Members.
