Congressional Liberals Mobilize to Keep Social Insurance Out of Shutdown Talks

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. From Harry Reid's wallet:

I was there, fighting the fight, one of the 12, voting against Medicare, because we knew it wouldn't work, in 1965.

-- Senator Bob Dole, Republican

Now we didn't get rid of it in round one because we don't think it's politically smart. But we believe (Medicare) is going to wither on the vine.

-- House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Republican

Medicare has no place in a free world. Social Security is a rotten trick. I think we're going to have to bite the bullet on Social Security and phase it out over time.

-- House Majority Leader Dick Army, Republican