Political Quotes

“Just to get the facts into this debate, I rise in strong support of the Bonamici amendment. I include for the Record the Congressional Budget Office letter to Chairman Dreier on March 19 in which the CBO estimates that enacting the provision will increase the deficits, if you use IPAB, by $3.1 billion. Congressional Budget Office, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC, March 19, 2012. Hon. David Dreier, Chairman, Committee on the Rules, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011, as posted on the Web site of the House Committee on Rules on March 12, 2012. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would reduce direct spending and increase revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Together, the changes to direct spending and revenues would reduce future deficits by $13.7 billion over the 2013 2017 period and by $45.5 billion over the 2013 2022 period. Federal spending for active workers participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program is included in the appropriations for federal agencies, and is therefore discretionary. H.R. 5 would also affect discretionary spending for health care services paid by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5 would reduce discretionary spending by $1.1 billion, assuming appropriations actions consistent with the legislation. H.R.…”