Political Quotes

“let's get this straight. Whether the amendment of the Senator from Michigan passes or whether my amendment passes, the Senate Finance Committee is still going to have to report legislation repealing the 15-percent cut. There is no absolute guarantee under either version. The fact is, under the Collins amendment there is far more likelihood that we will see repeal of the 15-percent cut because I specifically set aside the $13.7 billion in a reserve fund that can only be used to restore the 15-percent cut to eliminate the cut. By contrast, the amendment of my friend and colleague from Michigan just increases funding in the Medicare account, with no guarantee that the money goes for home health care. Instead, she takes money out of the tax cut. The approach I have sets aside the $13.7 billion specifically for the purpose of eliminating the 15-percent cut. There is far more of a ``guarantee'' that we will repeal the 15-percent cut under the Collins amendment than under the amendment offered by the Senator from Michigan.”