Political Quotes

“my motion to recommit is simple. It excludes Social Security and Medicare benefits from the definition of ``income'' for purposes of the bill's means test. As the law currently stands, any senior is eligible for bankruptcy relief. The bill, however, would force millions of seniors living on fixed incomes into mandatory repayment plans. This is because there is no exclusion from the definition of ``income'' for payments received for Social Security, retirement, for disability insurance, for supplemental security income, or for unemployment insurance. As a matter of fact, there is no exclusion for third-party medical payments made on behalf of seniors. What does it mean? That anytime a senior becomes ill and receives substantial Medicare benefits, they could be denied basic bankruptcy relief. This amendment has strong support among senior citizens. It is supported by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the National Council of Senior Citizens. I have letters I would like to introduce into the Record. This amendment by no means cures the worst problems in the bill, the use of IRS standards and its impact on child care and jobs, to name a few. But it does help fix a problem for seniors. I urge its adoption.”