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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush to Sign Historic Medicare Overhaul Into Law Tomorrow
Aired December 07, 2003 - 09:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Speaking of politics, we're going to head to the White House now to find out what's going on, and with President Bush's agenda, as well. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is there, joining us now, live.
Hi, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Heidi. We saw this morning President Bush, the first lady, and Mr. Bush's parents out and about in this cold, snowy weather here. They're attending church service. President Bush spent the day yesterday indoors signing at least a dozen bills. Tomorrow, as you know, he's going to sign the historic Medicare reform legislation and argue that he has led a congress that is the most productive in history.
Now, as you know, the president is gearing up to campaign, an aggressive reelection campaign. He has been touting his accomplishments, both domestic as well as international, focusing on the economy here at home, as well as in Iraq. This morning, his Chief of Staff, Andy Card, making the rounds on the morning talk shows. It is part of a strategy to convince voters that despite the fact Americans are losing their jobs here, they're losing their lives in Iraq, that the president is in control.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: We are making great progress in the economy in Iraq. The Iraqi people are finding more opportunities for jobs and to express some of their hope and desire through a free market economy. We also know that they are working towards self-governance. As they make progress in the economy and towards self-governance and sovereignty, I do think some of these Baathist elements that want to go back to the old ways may offer some challenges.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Another challenge, of course, is pushing for his legislative agenda. As I mentioned before, President Bush is going to be signing a bill that gives seniors a prescription drug coverage. That is one of the things he campaigned on that he will deliver. But there are a lot of people who are vehemently opposed to this. Conservative republicans believe the administration just can't afford this. Democrats believe it's the beginning of privatizing Medicare.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Many people will wake up and discover that the Medicare bill is a cruel hoax. It does not provide the kind of benefits that they had hoped for. And it is leading -- it will lead to the undermining of Medicare traditionally. So, I think that we'll have to wait to see how that develops. It's not an accident that it won't go into effect until after the election in November. But I have grave doubts about what it's really going to mean for our seniors and our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So tomorrow's going to be a very big day for the president in signing that legislation. We expect in the weeks to come, he'll be signing many bills, a flurry of bills before he goes to some holiday celebrations and then to his ranch to celebrate the holiday season. Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, as always. Keep warm. Appreciate it.
MALVEAUX: Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 7, 2003 - 09:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Speaking of politics, we're going to head to the White House now to find out what's going on, and with President Bush's agenda, as well. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is there, joining us now, live.
Hi, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Heidi. We saw this morning President Bush, the first lady, and Mr. Bush's parents out and about in this cold, snowy weather here. They're attending church service. President Bush spent the day yesterday indoors signing at least a dozen bills. Tomorrow, as you know, he's going to sign the historic Medicare reform legislation and argue that he has led a congress that is the most productive in history.
Now, as you know, the president is gearing up to campaign, an aggressive reelection campaign. He has been touting his accomplishments, both domestic as well as international, focusing on the economy here at home, as well as in Iraq. This morning, his Chief of Staff, Andy Card, making the rounds on the morning talk shows. It is part of a strategy to convince voters that despite the fact Americans are losing their jobs here, they're losing their lives in Iraq, that the president is in control.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: We are making great progress in the economy in Iraq. The Iraqi people are finding more opportunities for jobs and to express some of their hope and desire through a free market economy. We also know that they are working towards self-governance. As they make progress in the economy and towards self-governance and sovereignty, I do think some of these Baathist elements that want to go back to the old ways may offer some challenges.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Another challenge, of course, is pushing for his legislative agenda. As I mentioned before, President Bush is going to be signing a bill that gives seniors a prescription drug coverage. That is one of the things he campaigned on that he will deliver. But there are a lot of people who are vehemently opposed to this. Conservative republicans believe the administration just can't afford this. Democrats believe it's the beginning of privatizing Medicare.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Many people will wake up and discover that the Medicare bill is a cruel hoax. It does not provide the kind of benefits that they had hoped for. And it is leading -- it will lead to the undermining of Medicare traditionally. So, I think that we'll have to wait to see how that develops. It's not an accident that it won't go into effect until after the election in November. But I have grave doubts about what it's really going to mean for our seniors and our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So tomorrow's going to be a very big day for the president in signing that legislation. We expect in the weeks to come, he'll be signing many bills, a flurry of bills before he goes to some holiday celebrations and then to his ranch to celebrate the holiday season. Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, as always. Keep warm. Appreciate it.
MALVEAUX: Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
