Political Quotes

“Today I rise with disappointment over the legislative package put before us. As American families struggle to heat their homes, find jobs in their communities, and save for retirement or their children's education, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are using this package to provide assistance to these families to insert controversial policy riders. Like all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, I agree that we must pass a sensible solution to fix the way providers are paid under Medicare, an unemployment extension, and tax relief for middle-class families, but I cannot in good conscience support H.R. 3630 as written. Like my colleagues, I agree strongly that we must address the Sustainable Growth Rate, ensuring that our medical providers are paid sufficiently for the coverage they provide under Medicare. However, H.R. 3630 will address this problem for only the next two years, leaving us to once again deal with a massive payment cut--37 percent-- in 2014. I believe strongly that we must come together and find a way to permanently address the way we pay our doctors rather than kicking the can down the road time after time. Further, I cannot stomach though the drastic cuts to our healthcare programs. H.R. 3630 will pay for these extenders by increasing Medicare premiums for some beneficiaries and increasing the number of beneficiaries required to pay increased premiums.…”