Political Quotes

“There is no arguing that these programs are important, but, again, we have to set priorities. This doesn't say this program is important, and this other one is less important so we are going to take money from it. In fact, it takes money from CMS management. Now, that is kind of interesting, because I have a lot of seniors in my district who depend upon Medicare being administered properly. Thirteen thousand seniors enter Medicare every day, and what this amendment does is cut the funding to HHS that oversees the management of CMS, oversees the management of those 13,000 people entering Medicare every day. I have no argument with these school health programs. They are important. But if they are important, then we have to choose what is less important. I wouldn't have chosen, certainly, the management of the Medicare program. I think the seniors in my district would beg to differ that that is a good priority choice. For that reason, Madam Chair, I reluctantly oppose the amendment because it doesn't set the priorities that need to be set, despite how important they are. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts for recognizing the importance of these programs. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”