The letter is posted below in the blogger, would have been good if that thought would have made it on the biil passed. It will be along wait 1/1/09 till the folks have a cost of living raise but in the mean time thay have to suffer it out it seems, is not so good. PQ...
----- Original Message -----
From: Sheldon Whitehouse
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:45 PM
Subject: Message from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
[Photo]
Dear Mr. Quiett:
Thank you for contacting me with your support for providing benefits for seniors in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140). I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your belief that older Americans should not be overlooked in this important legislation to bolster the economy. When the Senate was considering amendments to the stimulus package negotiated between President Bush and the House of Representatives, I wrote to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell requesting that rebates for seniors who live on Social Security benefits be added to the legislation. I have attached a copy of this letter for your review. I am pleased to report that the version of the bill that passed the Senate included a $300 rebate for senior and disabled Social Security recipients who would not have qualified for rebates under the original provisions.
While this stimulus package is far from perfect, it is an important step toward turning the economy around from its path toward recession. I supported an earlier Senate version of this bill that would have provided seniors with a $500 rebate, but Senate Republicans unfortunately decided to filibuster this measure. While I was disappointed that the higher rebates for seniors were not included in the enacted legislation, I am pleased that we succeeded in including some significant relief from these harsh economic times for senior citizens.
Thanks again for contacting me about this important issue. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Sheldon
[Photo]
Dear Mr. Quiett:
Thank you for contacting me with your support for providing benefits for seniors in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140). I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your belief that older Americans should not be overlooked in this important legislation to bolster the economy. When the Senate was considering amendments to the stimulus package negotiated between President Bush and the House of Representatives, I wrote to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell requesting that rebates for seniors who live on Social Security benefits be added to the legislation. I have attached a copy of this letter for your review. I am pleased to report that the version of the bill that passed the Senate included a $300 rebate for senior and disabled Social Security recipients who would not have qualified for rebates under the original provisions.
While this stimulus package is far from perfect, it is an important step toward turning the economy around from its path toward recession. I supported an earlier Senate version of this bill that would have provided seniors with a $500 rebate, but Senate Republicans unfortunately decided to filibuster this measure. While I was disappointed that the higher rebates for seniors were not included in the enacted legislation, I am pleased that we succeeded in including some significant relief from these harsh economic times for senior citizens.
Thanks again for contacting me about this important issue. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Sheldon
