Press Release |
Media Contact: Sally Tibbetts 941.951.6643 |
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Buchanan Cosponsors Bill to Help SeniorsSAVES Act Provides Seniors with $250 Check
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| October 15, 2009 | |||
| Washington, DC -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) has cosponsored legislation to help senior citizens who have been denied a cost of living increase. Buchanan has cosponsored the “SAVES Act” (H.R. 3691), which would use unspent money from the failed economic stimulus package to provide seniors and veterans with economic relief. “Senior citizens living on a fixed income are struggling,” said Buchanan. “This bill would give them money to spend on food, gas, and clothing. That will do more to help stimulate the economy.” Social Security benefits are linked to inflation, which has been negative this year. The Social Security Administration announced today that there will be no cost-of-living raise for recipients in 2010. This would be the first time benefits have not increased since 1975, when cost-of-living adjustments became automatic. The “SAVES Act” would take money from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide approximately 57 million Social Security recipients and veterans with a $250 check in 2010. “This bill will help offset the loss of a cost of living increase for seniors,” added Buchanan, “and it won’t add to the deficit.” Florida’s 13th District is home to more than 160,000 seniors age 65 and over and 97,000 veterans. Buchanan also helped pass legislation this year to prevent increased Medicare costs that would result in smaller Social Security checks for an estimated 300,000 low income senior citizens in Florida. |
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