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February 7, 2008
Bush Republicans Say No to Helping Seniors, Disabled Veterans
The economic stimulus package passed by the House lacked rebate checks for 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans. Senate Democrats have pushed to include these seniors and veterans, and to extend unemployment benefits, just as we have in past efforts to address economic downturns. Last night, however, the overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans said no.
Bush Republicans urged passage of the House Economic stimulus plan thats leaves out seniors and veterans:
Senator McConnell Urged Senate to Pass House Stimulus. “With regard to the stimulus, the American people witnessed something they rarely see. They saw the Speaker of the House--a Democrat--the leader of the House Republicans, and the Secretary of the Treasury have a joint press conference among the three of them, indicating they had an agreement on a stimulus package that we could pass rapidly. Senate Republicans have been prepared to do that. It came over to us January 29.” [Congressional Record, 2/4/08]
Senator McConnell Urged the Senate to Pass the House Economic Stimulus Bill and Send It to the President. “’What clearly seems to be called for here is a bipartisan accomplishment that reinforces the markets and the American people that the government is aware that the economy is slowing and wants to do something about it,’ Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said today. ‘The quickest way to achieve that goal... would be for the Senate to take up and pass the House-passed bill and send it down to the president for signature,' he said. 'I hope that will be possible.’” [Forbes, 1/29/08]
Senator Cornyn Advised Senate to Pass House Version Promptly. “I know there are Members of the Senate, myself included, who have some other ideas about what we might be able to offer to improve that. The problem is, as we all know, under the rules of the Senate it is basically a free-for-all once that bill comes to the Senate floor, and there can be numerous amendments, there can be filibusters and other delays, which I think are dangerous indeed when a timely response is called for in terms of this targeted, temporary stimulus package. My conclusion is I think we are better off and the country is better off in the long run showing that we can act on a prompt basis by passing the House version.” [Congressional Record, 1/30/08]
Senator Cornyn Urged Passage of the House Bill, Not Load it Up With “Pet Projects.” “We saw the motion that was voted on last night pass overwhelmingly in support of that House legislation, 80-4. 80-4. So why it is we can't in a similar fashion take up that legislation and pass it without slowing it down by adding on a bunch of extraneous spending by people viewing this as perhaps a Christmas tree that they want to hang their favorite ornament on as a way to fund their pet projects, why it is we can't resist that temptation and expedite passage of this important legislation is, frankly, beyond me.” [Congressional Record, 2/5/08]
Senator Isakson Urged Colleagues to Pass House Package “While the Iron is Hot.” “I commend Senator Cornyn on his remarks, and I want to add that I too think it is important to address the stimulus package that has come from the House quickly and decisively. I fall in the category of one of those who has some other ideas as well, but I think while the iron is hot and while we do have a surgical and strategic proposal before us, we should act.” [Congressional Record, 1/30/08]
Senator Alexander Called on Senate to Make Economic Stimulus Bill a “Christmas Tree” and Pass the House Bill. “Mr. President, speaking as one senator, I don't believe we can afford to let this economic growth package, which should pass the House today, we shouldn't let it become a Christmas tree in the Senate for everyone's favorite idea for spending taxpayer dollars. I have some ideas. I think every member of the Senate has some ideas. But maybe we should recognize that the American people would like to see us act and act promptly and act decisively.” [Senator Alexander Press Release, 1/29/08]
The Senate stands in recess for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following days and times: Friday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m.; Tuesday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m.; Friday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m.; Tuesday, December 23 at 11:00 a.m.; Friday, December 26 at 11:00 a.m.; Tuesday, December 30 at 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, January 2 at 10:00 a.m.
At the close of the pro forma Session on January 2, 2009, the Senate will stand adjourned sine die.
