Political Quotes

“Madam President, today the House will consider legislation that would force the Nation to default on our financial obligations for the first time in history, unless Congress adopts a new--well, let's put it this way: What the House is working on today would force the Nation to default on our financial obligations for the first time in history. They are going to do it with a radical--radical--new constitutional amendment. That amendment would impose arbitrary, reckless budget caps. It would, without a doubt, force massive cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and other crucial benefits. At the same time, it would constitutionally protect wasteful loopholes and tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. To meet an arbitrary spending cap frozen at 18 percent of gross domestic product, it would shrink benefits and services back to the levels not seen since 1966. In 1966, Medicare was 1 year old, and there were 100 million fewer people in this country. In 1966, the country had 200 million people. We now have 300 million people, and they would take us back to the levels then. It is obvious it simply would not work. For those who think rewinding 45 years is a good thing, consider how much America has changed since 1966. For example, life expectancy is 9 years longer today than it was 45 years ago. One reason it is longer is because of Medicare. Medicare has made people healthier to live longer and lead more productive lives.…”