John Spratt: “Mr. Chairman, we have considered a number of budget resolutions today. Naturally I think the one we are now presenting…”

“Mr. Chairman, we have considered a number of budget resolutions today. Naturally I think the one we are now presenting is the best of the lot. I want to give the Members of the House five strong reasons that this resolution is the best of the lot. First of all, prescription drug coverage, a gaping hole in Medicare for many years, we need to close it. We provide reconciliation instructions and $40 billion to the Committee on Ways and Means with the directive to do it. We provide seniors with prescription drug coverage. Education, the difference between our resolution and the base resolution is clear and distinct, $20.5 billion more for education over the next 5 years. Debt reduction. Our resolution would lead to debt reduction cumulative surpluses of $48 billion over the next 5 years, $364 billion over the next 10 years. Social Security and Medicare solvency, the two are directly related. We extend the solvency of Social Security, and we extend the solvency of Medicare. The base bill does not. Finally, the clear distinct and very important distinction, civilian and military retirement. We provide $16.5 billion to keep the promises we have made to military retirees, particularly those reaching the age of 65 who have not been able to use their Medicare benefits at military treatment facilities.”