Wexler: Stimulus Package Abandons Seniors

Press Release

Wexler: Stimulus Package Abandons Seniors

Today, Congressman Robert Wexler voted no on the economic stimulus package recently introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner. Although the stimulus package provides needed rebates to working Americans, many senior citizens who live off Social Security as their sole source of income are ineligible for tax rebates. The legislation also lacks critical funding for food stamps and an extension of unemployment benefits for the many Americans currently without jobs.

"Senior citizens in America are under enormous financial strain, and I cannot in good conscience endorse a stimulus plan that leaves them out," Congressman Wexler said. "Congress should stand up to President Bush and guarantee that retired Americans are included. So many Floridians depend on Social Security as their sole source of income, and lately those monthly checks simply can't keep up with skyrocketing costs in prescription drugs, property taxes, and energy prices. Seniors are no different from the rest of the middle class Americans struggling to get by in this challenging economy."

Under its current provisions, many seniors are ineligible to receive tax rebates. According to the AARP, the stimulus package leaves out over 20 million senior citizens. Congressman Wexler has reached out to Democratic leaders to advocate the inclusion of seniors in the stimulus plan and strongly supports recent efforts made by Senate Democrats to revise the package accordingly.

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