Political Quotes

“I thank you. Mr. Speaker, I just want to again thank my friend and colleague, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, for her insight and for her knowledge, obviously, of the bill as well as for her ability to connect with the American people. I thank you for joining me this evening. It is always my pleasure. Mr. Speaker, again tonight, we are going to focus on the benefits of the health care reform that Americans are experiencing today. When it comes to health care reform, what is now called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, I truly believe history will show those of us who supported it did the right thing, and we are already seeing evidence that our courageous act is positively impacting Americans. I am extremely proud that Congress took the task of closing the doughnut hole for seniors. The doughnut hole has, in many instances, become the black hole because, for some seniors, the uncovered prescription costs never end. Fortunately, that is about to change. Beginning in 2011, seniors in the doughnut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs. By 2020, the doughnut hole will be completely closed. I know that many seniors cannot afford to wait. To ease the burden, Medicare recipients will automatically receive onetime $250 checks to help them with prescription costs. Some of those checks have already been received.…”