Roscoe Bartlett: “in this time of great prosperity, it is imperative that Congress works to pay off the public debt and provide a…”

“in this time of great prosperity, it is imperative that Congress works to pay off the public debt and provide a prescription drug benefit for all seniors. The Nation has a public debt of over $3 trillion. However, in the last 3 years, Republicans have paid down $354 billion in public debt and are on track to completely pay off this part of the national debt by 2012. Republicans are committed to using 90 percent of next year's budget surplus to pay off the public debt, while locking away 100 percent of the social security and Medicare surpluses. While we remain the most prosperous Nation in the world, the sad reality is that there are still some seniors who have to choose between putting food on the table and the prescription drugs they need to live healthy lives. Mr. Speaker, that is not fair. When we passed a prescription drug benefit that was voluntary, available, and affordable for all seniors, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gephardt) and the Democrats walked out on seniors. That is not right. Republicans will not walk out on seniors, and will continue to work to find a bipartisan solution to reducing the cost of prescription drugs while working to pay off our public debt.”