On the recordMarch 3, 2010
Mr. President, I will take my minute to simply say my amendment does exactly what the Sanders amendment does. It provides a $250 stipend to seniors, veterans, the disabled who did not receive a cost-of-living increase because the inflation formula did not provide one this year. The difference between mine and Sanders is novel--I actually pay for the $14 billion we are paying out to seniors, veterans, and the disabled. I am saying to every recipient of a check, we are not going to bill this to your children and grandchildren, we are going to pay for it now with money that is unobligated but already appropriated by the Congress. I think this is a reasonable approach. I think every Member should support it. We should be pleased we are doing a stipend to seniors, but we should sleep well tonight because we paid for it. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana.
