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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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House Democratic Leadership Calls for Full and Fair Debate on Medicare
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and top Democratic leaders today sent a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert, calling for ample time to fully debate the merits of the Medicare legislation that will be on the House floor next week, allowing for all substantive amendments. The debate on the creation of a prescription drug benefit and the future of the Medicare program is too important to continue the pattern that the Republican leadership has established, in which debate is severely limited and Democratic amendments are not allowed.
The following is the full text of the letter sent by the House Democratic leaders:
June 20, 2003
The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
The upcoming debate on Medicare’s future is one of the most important matters this Congress will consider. Millions of seniors and disabled Americans have already waited far too long for the prescription drug benefit they have been promised. This issue is serious and complex and deserves a full and fair debate. The Senate has set aside two weeks to meet that standard. The House also must have ample time to fully debate the merits of the bill as well as all substantive amendments.
As you know, House Democrats do not believe that the Thomas-Tauzin bill provides the affordable prescription drug benefit that seniors deserve -- one that does not have huge coverage gaps, provides a guaranteed set of costs and benefits available to all beneficiaries whether they live in rural or urban areas, and reduces the high prices that seniors are forced to pay.
Major amendments must be debated in order to address these concerns, and that debate must be held in the light of day so that seniors are given a clear picture of the benefit that is proposed and how it will impact their finances. If, after a full and fair debate, seniors believe the House Republican plan meets their needs, then support for its passage will grow. If not, we can work together to improve the legislation.
In recent months, the Republican leadership has severely limited debate on many serious matters, including the recent tax cut and the $1 trillion increase in the federal debt necessary to pay for it. Issues of importance to taxpayers, such as the federal budget, have been brought to the floor after midnight. These actions leave the impression that Republicans don’t want the American public to know about the enormous deficits they are creating for our children and the millions of working families their tax and education policies leave behind.
The debate on the creation of a prescription drug benefit and the future of the Medicare program is too important to continue the pattern that the Republican leadership has established. We request that the Rules Committee make in order all substantive amendments, that Members have ample time to fully debate the bill and all amendments, and that the debate occur in the light of day.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. The proposed changes to Medicare will have a significant impact on the lives of seniors and the disabled, and they deserve the opportunity to assess this legislation’s merits.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader
Steny Hoyer, Democratic Whip
Bob Menendez, Chair, Democratic Caucus
James E. Clyburn, Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus
Martin Frost, Ranking Democrat, Rules Committee
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
