David Thomas: “I am very anxious that we proceed with the bill before us. In the meantime, I would like to just for a moment or two…”

“I am very anxious that we proceed with the bill before us. In the meantime, I would like to just for a moment or two continue on our freshman focus on the idea of moving forward with these issues that are before the Senate and the House and that do need to be resolved soon, and to emphasize the opportunity that we have to solve them. Specifically, of course, to the budget and more specifically Medicare. We have talked about Medicare for a good deal of time over the past, but now we come to a time when there is no choice as to whether we have to make a decision or whether we do not. We have before us a report from the trustees, of course, which indicates that unless we do something the fund will be broke in probably 3 years. So it is not a matter of not doing something. It is a matter of what do we do. I am disappointed, I must say, that the administration has taken the position that we are just going to wait; we are just going to see what happens; we tried last year; our plan was not acceptable; and therefore we are not going to do anything. That is not a strong leadership position. That is not a position that the administration should take. Nevertheless, the issue has to be dealt with. We propose to deal with it.”