Political Quotes

“among the many myths that Democrats are perpetuating about the GOP plan to save Medicare, the biggest is that the Republicans want to cut Medicare. This is simply not the case. The Republican plan actually increases individual benefits from an annual $4,800 to $6,700 by the year 2002, and increases Medicare spending from $161 billion this year to $274 billion. Two years ago it was explained to Congress that today, and I quote, ``Today Medicaid and Medicare are going up three times the rate of inflation. We propose to let it go up at two times the rate of inflation. This is not a cut.'' This quote is not from a Republican. This is from the President, President Clinton. Mr. Speaker, I encourage both sides of the aisle to negotiate this and come together. Members should recognize that Medicare needs to be improved and saved. You see, Mr. Speaker, at least some Democrats understand basic mathematics. At least some of them know that their wild claims about Republican efforts to save Medicare are false. Democrats, instead of scaring people, should roll up their sleeves to preserve and strengthen Medicare.”