On the recordDecember 8, 2010
I want to thank Mr. Pomeroy for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, here is the reality today of rising prices for America's seniors and retired veterans. From October 2009 to October 2010, the following commodities, which consume the lion's share of a senior's household budget, saw significant increases: home heating fuel went up 13 percent, gas prices 3.8 percent, prescription drug prices 3.9 percent, medical care 3.6 percent. Despite these relentless increases, the Labor Department's CPI formula spit out a 0 percent COLA because the cost of items which the formula counts, like flat screen TVs, personal computers, and recreation activities, went down. For seniors and veterans who are dependent on Social Security and VA pensions, the latest flat screen televisions and personal computers are not high on their shopping lists. Congress needs to intervene for the benefit of seniors and retired veterans by passing this measure, which will provide emergency help with the real-world budgets of elderly Americans.
