Americans are Opposed to Ending Medicare

Floor Speech

(Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, the Republican majority seems to be using any route possible to hide the truth about its ``road to ruin'' budget and its plans to end Medicare. The Washington Post, the New York Times, the National Journal, and others recently reported that mass mailings sent from Democratic Members of Congress to their constituents have been heavily edited by majority leadership if they address the Republican plan to end Medicare.

But Americans know the truth, Madam Speaker. Every day, I hear from many of my constituents in the Capital Region of upstate New York who tell me how much they rely on Medicare and how worried they are over the majority's plan to end the program. My constituents know that a voucher will not even come close to covering their rising prescription drug costs and doctors' visits. Our senior community is tremendously wise. They know that the risk associated with the Republican plan is shifted from our government to their pockets.

No matter how it is spun, Americans are opposed to ending Medicare. Let's instead work together to strengthen the program and ensure it remains on strong financial footing.

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