Posted by
Rich on Monday, February 04, 2008 3:06:50 PM
Washington,
D.C. – Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL) today urged House leaders to
include much-needed relief for Florida seniors in the economic growth
bill being drafted by Congress.
“Senior
citizens living on a fixed income are feeling the pressure of high
prices and the slowing economy,” Buchanan wrote in a letter to Speaker
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH). “Yet
surprisingly, the bipartisan economic stimulus agreement ignores these
older Americans.”
The 13th
District Congressman noted that according to the AARP, under the
proposed stimulus package approximately 20 million senior citizens
living primarily on Social Security will not be part of the rebate
check program.
“That’s
wrong,” continued Buchanan. “These seniors are most likely to spend any
additional income on necessary resources such as medicine, utilities,
food and clothing -- offering a short-term infusion of money into our
economy.”
“Soon
congressional committees will begin their work on the proposed stimulus
package. I ask that you ensure that our nation's low-and middle-income
senior households are included among those Americans expected to
benefit from the tax rebate program,” concluded Buchanan.
Buchanan’s
five-point economic stimulus plan submitted to House leaders and the
Bush Administration would eliminate the 1993 tax on Social Security
benefits from 85 percent to 50 percent.
“Thankfully,
Congressman Vern Buchanan and other forward-thinking Members are asking
their Congressional Leaders to remember America's retirees and their
critical role in the nation's economy. RetireSafe salutes their efforts
to include older Americans in the economic stimulus package,” said
RetireSafe President Michelle Plasari. RetireSafe is a grassroots
network representing almost 400,000 older Americans nationwide.
Buchanan is a former businessman and the only Florida Member serving on the House Committee on Small Business.