Senate Democrats Unite with President Clinton on Medicare, Vowing to Hold Republicans' Feet to the Fire

Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle and a delegation of 15 party colleagues met with President Clinton at the White House on Thursday, reaffirming their commitment to resisting Republican demands for budget cuts in Medicare. The meeting was a key moment in the ongoing battle of rhetoric between the two parties over the federal budget and Medicare reform. Clinton has encouraged Senate Democrats to "hold the Republicans' feet to the fire" on this issue, and Daschle has vowed to do just that. The Democrats are united in their stance that they will not support Medicare cuts for tax cuts for the wealthy.

Key Takeaways:

• Senate Democrats, led by Tom Daschle, met with President Clinton on Thursday to discuss the federal budget and Medicare reform.
• The Democrats agreed to "hold the Republicans' feet to the fire" on the issue of Medicare cuts, resisting GOP demands for specific proposals to handle the Medicare budget shortfall.
• Senate Democrats will offer amendments to the budget resolution proposed by the Republicans, but will not propose their own comprehensive fiscal 1996 budget plan.
• Democrats will fight any cuts in Medicare that they see as being made necessary by GOP campaign promises for tax cuts.
• Clinton has encouraged Senate Democrats to resist Republican demands for Medicare cuts and will await GOP proposals for Medicare reform before making a decision.

Statistics:

• 15 Senate Democrats attended the meeting with President Clinton.
• 1996 is the fiscal year for which the budget plan is being proposed.
• 2002 is the target year for balancing the federal budget, as promised by Republicans.
• The Medicare budget shortfall is expected to be a major point of contention in the budget negotiations.
• Senate Democrats have criticized the Republican budget plan for making only minor cuts in health care.

Sources:

• "Senate Democrats Meet With Clinton On Budget, Medicare." _Repeat, _ 4 May 1995.
• "Daschle, Clinton Agree On Medicare Stance." _Repeat, _ 4 May 1995.