Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in the richest country on Earth, millions of seniors should not have teeth rotting in their mouths or be unable to afford hearing aids or eyeglasses. In America today, the reality is that a quarter of Americans 65 and older are missing all of their natural teeth, and 20 percent have untreated dental cavities. Further, one in three seniors suffers from hearing loss, while 75 percent who need a hearing aid cannot afford one. And further, it can cost seniors up to $300 for a routine eye exam and over $200 for a pair of glasses, which many seniors simply are unable to afford and do without. This amendment is simple. It expands Medicare to provide dental, vision, and hearing benefits to our seniors. This should not be a particularly tough vote, given the fact that the last poll I saw had 84 percent of the American people in support of this concept. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.”