Roy Cooper: “today is the day that our seniors have been waiting for for many, many years, the day that we will pass a Medicare…”

“today is the day that our seniors have been waiting for for many, many years, the day that we will pass a Medicare prescription drug benefit. Unfortunately, the real debate took place last night upstairs in an attic room in this building in the dark of night, literally starting after midnight, from 1 to 4 a.m., burglar hours, not lawmaker hours. In that debate, they foreclosed real debate on this floor today. They allowed only two bills to be considered, the Republican plan which is deeply flawed, which will end Medicare as we know it, and another plan which is too large to fit within the budget window. I supported the Dooley alternative, a much more sensible piece of legislation. Our seniors deserve better, much better than will be done for them on this House floor today.”