Providing for Consideration of H.R. Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act; Providing for Consideration of S.J. Res. Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to ``Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards''; and Providing for Consideration of H.J. Res. Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Department of Education Relating to ``Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans''

Floor Speech

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Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, seniors in America deserve to retire with dignity. They have earned Social Security and Medicare benefits through a lifetime of work. The seniors of today without pensions or generational wealth depend upon their benefits. Yet, they are living in fear that Republicans in this body will take away their healthcare and their means to pay for housing or food.

The bills we are considering this week have nothing to do with combating those fears. What they actually do is harm the health and financial stability of Americans. They dirty our air, they worsen student debt, and they increase the prison population.

My Republican colleagues cannot be serious. These priorities and bad policies do nothing to meet the moment.

Madam Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to come to their senses, and I urge them to stop playing games with our economy. Instead, give the American people some certainty. Give our seniors some certainty. Assure our seniors that you will not cut Social Security and Medicare. It is one thing to say it on the news, and it is another thing to do it in this Chamber.

Before Medicare, nearly half of older Americans had no health insurance. Today, Medicare is often the only source of healthcare for nearly all seniors. More than 66 million people rely on Social Security to meet their basic needs in a country where most Americans, over 60 percent, can't afford an unexpected $400 bill tomorrow; that is seniors, people with disabilities, children, and more than 8 million veterans.

Republican proposals to sunset Social Security and Medicare would cause panic and disruption for our seniors at a time when peace and security are critical and well-deserved.

Let's spend our time this week finally considering Democrats' legislation that guarantees seniors the retirement that they were promised and that strengthens our healthcare. Our elders give us so much: culture, wisdom, and tradition.

Madam Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues in this body to give back to them and guarantee them what they have earned. Let's do even more. Let's expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

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Mr. FROST. Let's work together to get rid of surprise bills. Let's end unaffordable prescription drug prices.

Madam Speaker, I urge Republicans in this Chamber to abandon the bad bills that they are bringing to the floor and refocus on real solutions that working families and our seniors deserve.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question.

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