| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
May 17, 2001
SENATOR ROCKEFELLER OFFERS AMENDMENT TO GUARANTEE SENIORS GET MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) announced today he will offer an amendment to the $1.35 trillion tax cut bill which will guarantee that Congress passes a Medicare prescription drug plan that will cover all of our nation’s seniors by 2002. Rockefeller’s amendment will accomplish this by stipulating that the tax cut for the highest tax bracket affecting the wealthiest Americans will not be phased in unless a meaningful prescription drug benefit has been passed by 2002.
On Tuesday, Rockefeller offered the amendment during the Finance Committee mark-up of the tax bill, where it was narrowly defeated by a 8 - 12 vote. The amendment is one of several key amendments that Democrats will offer when the final tax bill comes to the Senate floor either today or Monday. The following are Senator Rockefeller’s comments on the amendment:
"This amendment is about making the health and well-being of our nation’s seniors equally as important as a tax cut.
"This amendment does not preclude the tax cut, but rather shifts our focus to the promise we made to our nation’s seniors. That promise is to deliver a comprehensive Medicare prescription drug benefit.
"It will give those of us in Congress a timetable to pass a Medicare prescription drug benefit for all Americans. By 2002, if we have not passed meaningful prescription drug legislation, then the tax cut for the wealthiest Americans will not kick in. It is as simple as that.
"Many of my colleagues have said that a Medicare prescription drug benefit is one of their top priorities. By including this amendment, my fellow Senators can put their words into action.
"This amendment will force us to get down to business and develop a comprehensive, affordable benefit that will make a real difference in the lives of 39 million seniors and people with disabilities."
E-mail Senator Rockefeller | Click here for more contact information.