Al Green: “And still I rise, to oppose a Continuing Resolution that will allow a chainsaw to, among other things: minimize Medicaid…”

“And still I rise, to oppose a Continuing Resolution that will allow a chainsaw to, among other things: minimize Medicaid with underfunded block grants to states, marginalize Medicare's ``Dual Eligibles'' long-term Medicaid care, and privatize Social Security by allowing private investment of Social Security funds in the stock market with no protections from market downturns. Mr. Speaker, the costs of the cuts in spending will be measurable. However, the human cost in pain and suffering will be immeasurable. I will not participate in what can become the chainsawing of proven safety net programs. I will vote against exposing lifesaving programs to an uncertain, shameful future. Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, for all of American history, it has been understood that Congress, not the president, has the ultimate power to determine how government funds are spent. Few principles are as fundamental to the structure of government enshrined in the Constitution. From time to time, this authority has been challenged by the Executive Branch, and each time Congress has responded by rejecting the executive's encroachment on the fisc to further underscore the legislative branch's primacy over spending matters. Those conflicts have led to bedrock laws that further bolster the Congress's fiscal authority.…”