Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Seniors Protection Act. I am an original cosponsor of this crucial legislation to provide Social Security recipients with a one-time $250 payment in 2011 to help seniors make ends meet. This bill is in response to the Social Security Administration's October announcement that there will be no automatic Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment next year for Social Security recipients because the trigger did not come into play because of the recession. More than 160,000 seniors in Hawaii receive Social Security benefits. Over 1,000 of them took the time to write, e-mail, or call me to share their need for a COLA this year. In Hawaii and nationwide, seniors have seen their cost of living go up, whether in medical costs, uncovered prescription drug costs, or utility bills. Meanwhile, the recession that began under President George W. Bush has hit seniors' savings in pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s especially hard. The Seniors Protection Act will provide our seniors with a modest financial boost to help get by. Nationwide, three out of every five seniors rely on Social Security for more than half of their income. The average retiree receives $14,000 in Social Security benefits. This bill's $250 payment will help seniors, veterans, railroad retirees and people with disabilities who receive Social Security.…”