Paul Tonko: “I think you highlight some of the major differences and disagreements that have highlighted the debate on the Hill here…”

“I think you highlight some of the major differences and disagreements that have highlighted the debate on the Hill here in Washington between the two parties. And I would suggest it's probably some of the reasons that the supercommittee could not come to consensus, because we have called upon an outcome that is fair, balanced, and bold--that we will not allow for the price tag on further continuing tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires to be paid for by cuts to Medicare. There were those who fought Social Security at its inception and have fought it for 76 years and want to deny it. It's about making certain that there is an underpinning of support for our elderly as they grow into what is a longer life span. We have to have measures in place that enable there to be a quality of life that provides economic vitality, economic balance for those who move into their retirement years. I think that when we look at some of the measurements of Medicare, for instance, where it's about 5 percent of the GDP, much more modest than private sector health care is to GDP, and here's a program that has worked tremendously well. Can it be made better? Absolutely. That's where we stand. Make it better. Make it more secure. Make it more sustainable. But do not deny the masses of this country who have prospered, who have been strengthened, who were lifted by programs like Medicare and Social Security.…”