On the recordDecember 8, 2010
The reality today is that millions of senior citizens and disabled vets are hurting. They are spending a whole lot of money on prescription drugs, a whole lot of money on health care. Yet for the last 2 years they have not gotten any COLA because, in my view, of a poor methodology in terms of how we determine COLAs for senior citizens. What this amendment does is provide a one-time $250 check to senior citizens and disabled vets. That is what it does. This amendment is supported by AARP, the largest senior group in America; the American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and virtually every senior group and every veterans organization. People are wondering how it could be that we could provide $1 million in tax breaks to the richest people in this country but we cannot come up with $250 for struggling seniors and disabled vets. I hope my colleagues will support this important piece of legislation.
