Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this amendment is cosponsored by Senator Kaine and 18 of my colleagues. Our amendment would simply prevent any cuts in healthcare coverage for a Medicaid beneficiary, something we should be able to agree on, I hope. We all have talked about the need to protect Medicaid. Now we have to stand up and do that. This vote is an opportunity to put our money and our votes where our words are. And the question is, Will you protect the nearly 80 million Americans who rely on Medicaid or do you vote for tax giveaways for the wealthiest at the expense of everyone else? I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho. I ask for order on the floor, please. The Senator from Idaho. MR. CRAPO. Mr. President, we are going to see a lot of this tonight, but this is what I call the politics of fear. The argument is going to be made that we are going to hurt all kinds of people tonight in all kinds of different ways, but the reality is that is not going to happen. The President has been clear, any reforms to Medicare or Medicaid must not reduce patient benefits. In fact, section 3003 of this budget resolution reaffirms that commitment. The budget resolution gives the Senate maximum flexibility to meet this goal, and there is no need for this amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1645 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question now occurs on adoption of the amendment.”