Congressional Record UNUM

E PLURIBUS

United States

of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 104th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

H 4513

House of Representatives

Vol. 141 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1995 No. 72

The House met at 11 a.m. and was

called to order by the Speaker pro tempore [Mr. INGLIS

fof South Carolina].

DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER

PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker:

WASHINGTON, DC,

May 3, 1995.

I hereby designate the Honorable BOB

INGLIS to act as Speaker pro tempore on this

day.

NEWT GINGRICH,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

fPRAYER

The Chaplain, Rev. James David

Ford, D.D., offered the following prayer:

With this ardent petition, O gracious

God, we pray for the gift of wisdom in

our hearts and in our actions, that

what we ask or think or do will advance the good of the Nation and be to

the benefit of every person. May we

have perceptive minds and discerning

hearts; may we be astute in our judgments and show mercy in our decisions

so that the gift of wisdom will be our

heritage and our legacy. Bless us and

all Your people this day and every day,

we pray. Amen.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.

THE JOURNAL

fINGLIS of South Carolina). The Chair

has examined the Journal of the last

day’s proceedings and announces to the

House his approval thereof.

Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The genPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ftleman from Illinois [Mr. DURBIN] will

lead the membership in the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Mr. DURBIN led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the

United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

THE PRESIDENT’S RELEVANCE

AND MEDICARE

f(Mr. DELAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, earlier this

year, Bill Clinton proclaimed he was

relevant to the legislative process.

Since he is still President of the United

States, I certainly hope he is relevant,

but as time goes on, I begin to wonder.

The debate on Medicare is just one

example of the President’s slipping relevance.

Republicans in the House and Senate

are taking steps now to save Medicare

in the future.

Our plan will preserve, improve, and

protect Medicare far into the next century.

But comprehensive Medicare reform

will take bipartisanship, statesmanship, and cooperation.

Unfortunately, the President has decided to walk away from this problem.

In fact, he has rejected Republican attempts to get the administration involved in solving the Medicare problem.

I urge the President and his advisers

to join Republicans in saving Medicare.

Actions speak louder than words, and

if the President wants to be relevant,

he has to act relevant.

TIME TO BRING THE AMERICAN

PEOPLE INTO THE BUDGET DEBATE

(Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given

permission to address the House for 1

minute.)

Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority is getting ready to

make dramatic changes in the Medicare program. I am concerned that the

American people will not be included

in this debate.

The Republican majority has already

missed the deadline to submit a budget. To balance the budget and save $1

trillion over 7 years will be a difficult

task, I admit. However, the Republican

majority should submit a plan which

we all can review. The Republican majority makes promises without making

the tough choices on how to achieve

their goals.

The Republican majority plans to cut

Medicare by $300 billion over 7 years.

These cuts will hurt seniors and result

in higher costs. It is estimated that

this will add $900 in out-of-pocket expenses for seniors in 2002.

Democrats have been responsible in

reforming Medicare. In the 1993 OBRA

bill, Democrats voted to strengthen the

trust fund and made it solvent for an

additional 3 years. No Republican

Members supported these important reforms.

I am also concerned that any Medicare cuts will affect the health care industry. In my district, reduction in indirect medical education and direct

medical education will have devastating consequences. I represent the Texas

Medical Center which has two medical

schools. Any medicare reductions in

these payments will negatively impact

the Houston area, and I will work vigorously to oppose these reductions.

If we are going to balance the budget,

the American people should be involved and we should all contribute

fairly to the solution. Without a plan,