in by the demagoguery and rhetoric."
Have you actually read the Senate "Compromise" measure? Here's the original version off of Baucus' website:
http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=601What Does the Long-Term Senate Compromise Do?
The long-term solution, unveiled in the Senate yesterday includes $2.7 trillion agreed upon cuts, and allows the U.S. to continue to meet its obligations through 2012. The Senate compromise keeps the promise to seniors and military retires, and does not cut Medicare or Social Security or raise taxes.
* $1.2 Trillion in Discretionary Spending Cuts. The $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending cuts include both defense and non-defense spending. It does not cut Medicare or Social Security.
* $100 Billion in Mandatory Savings. Again these savings keep the promise to seniors and military retirees and do not cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. Savings include:
o $40 billion in cutting out fraud, waste and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance.
o $15 Billion In Spectrum Sales. This provision would save money by allowing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction portions of the radio spectrum.
o $11 Billion In Agricultural Reforms. Baucus fought hard to ensure the ag cuts in this proposal were less than the $48 billion in Farm Bill cuts proposed in the House.
o Higher Education Program Reforms Whose Savings Go To Sustain The Pell Grant Program. The proposal fills a shortfall in the Pell program for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, to maintain the current maximum Pell level of $5,550.
* $1 Trillion in Savings From Winding Down the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus on fighting terrorism and strengthening America, not nation building overseas.
* $400 Billion in Interest Savings. By cutting spending, this package reduces the U.S. deficits, and reducing our deficits reduces the interest the federal government must pay on our debt each year.
* Establishes Joint Congressional Committee to Find Future Savings. In addition to $2.7 trillion in concrete savings, the Senate package will establish a joint, bipartisan committee, made up of 12 members, to present options for future deficit reduction. The committee's recommendations will be guaranteed an up-or-down Senate vote, without amendments, by the end of 2011.
Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Jenny Donohue 202-224-4515/Kathy Weber 406-657-5915
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For more information on Health Care Reform visit:
http://finance.senate.govmontana seal