Paul Tonko: “Thank you, Representative Garamendi. I appreciate you and Representative Cicilline joining in this important half-hour…”

“Thank you, Representative Garamendi. I appreciate you and Representative Cicilline joining in this important half-hour of discussion. But I can clearly state that no one that I talked to in this House, no Representative, was hearing advocacy to end Medicare during our campaigns last year. I didn't hear one individual tell me that--senior, non-senior. I didn't hear anyone ask me to give more profits, more handouts, to big oil companies. I didn't hear one person say, Protect the corporate loopholes for corporations out there. I didn't hear anyone say, Hand more tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires. I did hear, Make my budget work at home. I need the basics. I did hear, I can't survive with the situation as it is. I did hear, We need jobs. I did hear, Start growing our economy. Stop shrinking the middle class. Well, evidently this majority was not listening. There was anger-- undeniable anger, understandable anger--that existed out there. But this is not this quantification that they were looking for. They did not want to see this as a result, as an outcome. I think we need to continue to fight this effort to end Medicare, and we're going to continue that fight. With that, I thank the gentlemen for joining me in this half hour. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker. ____________________”