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Transcript of Saving Medicare and Social Security, Biden Teases at Sotu
Speaker 1 00:00
So some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage. I get it, unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what those plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security sunset. I’m not saying it’s a majority. Let me give you – anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy of the proposal. That means Congress doesn’t vote. Well, I’m glad to see you. Now, I tell you, I enjoy conversion. It means if Congress doesn’t keep the programs the way they are, they go away. Other Republicans say, I’m not saying it’s a majority of you. I don’t even think it’s even a significant, but it is being proposed by individuals. I’m politely not naming them, but it is being proposed by some of you. Look, folks, the idea is, that we’re not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we don’t respond. So folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security, Medicare is off the books now. They’re not to be touched.
Speaker 2 01:48
We got unanimity. Social Security, Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors, Americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they started. So tonight, let’s all agree. And we apparently are, let’s stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them. We will not cut Social Security, we will not cut Medicare. Those benefits belong to the American people, they earned it. And if anyone tries to cut Social Security, which apparently no one is going to do, and if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I’ll stop them. I’ll veto it. And I’m not going to allow them to be taken away, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. But apparently it’s not going to be a problem. Next month, when I offer my fiscal plan, I ask my Republican friends to lay down their plan as well. I really mean it. Let’s sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together. Let’s do that. I can tell you the plan I’m going to show is going to cut the deficit by another $2 trillion and it won’t cut a single bit of Medicare or Social Security. In fact, we’re going to extend the Medicare trust fund at least two decades because that’s going to be the next argument. How do we keep it solvent?
Speaker 2 03:25
Well, we’ll not raise tax on anyone making under 400 grand but will pay for it, the way we talked about it. Not by making sure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share. Look, here’s the deal, they aren’t just taking advantage of the tax code. They’re taking advantage of you, the American consumer. Here’s my message to all of you out there. I have your back. We’re already preventing Americans from receiving surprise medical bills. Stopping $1 billion surprise bills per month so far. We’re protecting seniors’ life savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud, endanger patient safety, prescribe drugs that are not needed. Millions of Americans can now save thousands of dollars because they can finally get a hearing aid over the counter without a prescription. Look, capitalism without competition, it’s not capitalism. It’s extortion.
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