Niki Tsongas: “My Republican colleagues have put forth spending proposals that they assert promise savings. But deep cuts to Medicare…”

“My Republican colleagues have put forth spending proposals that they assert promise savings. But deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the discretionary budget really just shift those costs onto seniors and children. I have heard from hundreds of constituents urging opposition because, to quote a constituent from my hometown of Lowell, the impact would be ``devastating.'' This dangerous game has already cost private sector jobs in my district as contractors wait for Congress to pass a long-term budget. Many in this body have proven willing to compromise to solve our debt crisis. We have already enacted $10 billion in spending cuts as a show of good faith. But House Republicans continue to insist upon ideological policy changes that even some Senate Republicans say ``go too far.'' It is time for this body to listen to the American public and reject ideological policies that would destroy Medicare as we know it, eliminate women's health services like breast and cervical cancer screenings, and make it easier for polluters to contaminate our drinking water. ____________________”