Louise Slaughter: “I oppose this closed rule. I oppose the cynicism it embraces and the contempt it demonstrates for honest debate. With…”

“I oppose this closed rule. I oppose the cynicism it embraces and the contempt it demonstrates for honest debate. With this rule, the Republican leadership has blocked amendments offered by Democrats, all in an effort to adapt a flawed and disingenuous budget. Our side of the aisle has made clear that the President has the firm support of this caucus when it comes to waging war on terrorism, and as a ninth generation American whose ancestors have fought in every United States conflict since the Revolutionary War, I am keenly aware of the sacrifices that war calls for. I am also keenly aware that national security does not abrogate us from pursuing the priorities important to the country. Mr. Speaker, we have promises to keep. Generations of Americans have poured billions of dollars into Social Security and Medicare with the promise that these vital programs would be there for them when they and their loved ones retired. This budget resolution breaks that promise. Indeed, the measure before us wipes out most of the Social Security surplus and decimates all of the Medicare surplus over the next 5 years.”