Members Ask that Money be Invested in Health Care Coverage Instead of Campaign Ads

Media Contact: Christine Glunz, 202.225.3072

Washington, DC – Members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation today called on President Bush to pull down taxpayer-funded advertisements currently running across the nation that mislead seniors about the true impact of the Medicare prescription drug bill.  Members of the delegation also urged the administration to immediately investigate why they hid the truth from Congress on the cost estimate of the Medicare bill.

"They can't defend the law on the merits," said Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles). "That's why they are now fabricating advertisements. They are misleading seniors and they should stop it."

“Americans taxpayers deserve better than the Bush administration’s recent attempts to cover-up the real cost of the Medicare bill,” said Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose).  “Threatening to fire an official for telling the truth is an abuse of power by the Administration, and the matter should be thoroughly investigated.  Seniors want an honest approach, not a misleading Medicare ad campaign that is wasteful spending and should be invested in health care reform.”

"While American seniors remain confused and disappointed by the sham Medicare bill passed last year, reports continue to suface about a high-level cover up about the true cost of the bill.  One minute the Bush Administration says we can't afford to provide seniors with real prescription drug coverage, and the next minute it is running a taxpayer-funded multi-million dollar political ad blitz on the program.   Seniors want real answers, and they deserve them now," said Representative Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara).