Nita Lowey: “the Republican budget cuts $24 billion from Social Security. Seniors who have worked hard their whole lives will lose…”

“the Republican budget cuts $24 billion from Social Security. Seniors who have worked hard their whole lives will lose hundreds of dollars in Social Security benefits. Social Security is a contract that we've made with our Nation's seniors. The Republican budget tears that contract into pieces. The Republican budget cuts $283 billion from Medicare. The Republican budget will eliminate Medicare as we know it by herding seniors into HMO's and by charging them $3,500 more for their health care. Seniors who depend on Medicare will be out of luck. Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget breaks faith with the millions of American seniors who depend on Medicare and Social Security to make ends meet. Day after day we have heard how the Republicans have kept their promises to the American people. One after another the Republicans told us that promises made are promises kept. Well Mr. Speaker, today we learn that Republican promises made are promises broken. Speaker Gingrich and the Republican majority promised that they would not cut Social Security benefits. They promised not to devastate Medicare. But what is the truth? What does their new budget say? This is how the Republicans keep their promises: By cutting Medicare. By cutting Social Security. The American people deserve better.”