John Ensign: “I rise today to highlight an agreement reached by my colleagues, Senator Mike Enzi and Senator Richard Burr, in regard…”

“I rise today to highlight an agreement reached by my colleagues, Senator Mike Enzi and Senator Richard Burr, in regard to Federal funding formulas. Over the past year and a half the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, of which I am a member, has been working on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. Part of this work included changes to the funding formula for the programs contained within the act. I was actively involved in this work with Chairman Enzi and Senator Burr, as I believe that the formula is unfair and inequitable to states with a growing elderly population. While we were able to make some changes to the funding formula for the Older Americans Act, it is far from adequate. The formula continues to provide high-growth states with less than their fair share of funding. Chairman Enzi has agreed to hold hearings during the 110th Congress to review federal funding formulas. Senator Burr and I agree that Federal money should follow people. Current Federal funding formulas often ignore this and penalize those living in fast-growing States. According to USA Today, the state of Nevada is projected to see a one hundred and fourteen percent increase in our population--the highest rate of growth in the country. Nevada welcomes our new-comers with open arms, as they have recognized the quality of life the state of Nevada has to offer. I am proud that so many Americans have chosen to call Nevada home.”