Press Release

BUCHANAN FIGHTS TO INCLUDE ALL SENIORS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH BILL

Washington, DC -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has sponsored a bipartisan bill to add millions of senior citizens living primarily on Social Security to the categories of taxpayers who would benefit from the economic growth bill making its way through Congress. 

“A slow economy and higher prices have taken a toll,” said Buchanan.  “The House has passed, with my support, legislation to boost the economy by providing much needed tax relief to small business and working families.  The bill is a step in the right direction, but we should also assist America’s seniors living on a fixed income and provide the broadest possible stimulus to economy.”   

Buchanan joined Reps. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) to introduce the “Immediate Financial Assistance for America’s Seniors Act” (H.R. 5172).  The bill would provide a tax rebate to more than 18 million Social Security beneficiaries who were left out of the economic growth bill that passed the House.  Under the Donnelly-Smith-Ellsworth-Buchanan bill, seniors with annual incomes of less than $3,000 would qualify for a $300 tax rebate.  A married couple filing jointly would get back $600.  

“That is money would help seniors buy food, medicine, and other necessities” added Buchanan. “It is also money that would be put back in the economy.”

Earlier this month, Buchanan unveiled an economic stimulus plan that included targeted tax relief for Social Security recipients and wrote House leaders urging them to include those seniors who will not benefit from the economic growth package’s tax rebate that passed the House.