Chuck Grassley: “let us be accurate when we describe each side's proposals. Upon careful consideration, it is clear: First, the Senate…”

“let us be accurate when we describe each side's proposals. Upon careful consideration, it is clear: First, the Senate Republican Caucus stimulus proposal is not made up of ``leftover'' tax cuts; Second, the Senate Republicans are not using September 11 as a device to advance ``ideological'' proposals; and Third, the proposals in the Senate Republican Caucus stimulus package have not been ``unanimously'' rejected by economists, editors, and opinion makers. Madam President, I wish to discuss what I consider to be a crucial component of this economic stimulus package: health insurance assistance for dislocated workers. We all know about the high cost of health insurance. For dislocated workers, its even higher. That's because worker continuation or ``COBRA'' coverage is extremely expensive: coverage for a family can cost as much as $500 or $600 per month. And workers who do not qualify for COBRA coverage--because they worked for State or local governments or in small businesses that are exempt--also face high health care costs. So when it comes to providing health insurance assistance to dislocated workers, both sides in this debate are in agreement: People need help, and they need it now. Where we disagree is on how we get there. I have endorsed a program that is already up and running, that has been tried and tested and tailored for the very purpose of providing ready help--not red tape--in emergencies like this.”