Senate Proceeding on Feb 4th, 2008 :: 3:24:19 to 3:28:11
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3:24:19 to 3:24:32( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: mr. baucus: i ask unanimous consent the call of the t quorum be dispensed. the presiding officer: without objection,

3:24:19 to 3:28:11( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Max Baucus

3:24:32 to 3:24:45( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: so ordered. mr. baucus: madam president, the book of proverbsve teaches "listen to your father who gave your life and do not despise your mother when she is old." this afternoon the senate will begin

3:24:45 to 3:25:01( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: to address whether we honor our mothers and our fathers, our grandmothers and our grandfathers. the senate will begin to address whether we extend needed stimulus checks to 20 million seniors whom the house

3:25:01 to 3:25:17( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: of representatives left behind. the author pearl buck said "our society must make it possible for old people not to fear the young or to be deserted by them for a test of a civilization is the way

3:25:17 to 3:25:31( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: it cares for its helpless members." this afternoon, the senate will begin to be tested. the senate will be tested whether it cares for 20 million seniors or deserts them, as did the house of representatives.

3:25:31 to 3:25:44( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: america's seniors deserve to get sometime luts checks every bit as much as other americans. they worked hard, very hard, all their lives. they paid a lifetime of taxes and contribute to the economy.

3:25:44 to 3:25:58( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: and, with the economy turning down, seniors can use the stimulus checks every bit as much as other americans. everyone knows a sole social security does not pay the bills. the average retiree social

3:25:58 to 3:26:12( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: security check is about $1,000 a month. with the current hard times, gasoline, food and health care costs all increasing it makes it more difficult for them. two out of three social security beneficiaries

3:26:12 to 3:26:26( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: get most of their income from social security, two out of three get most of their income from social security. social security is the only income for nearly one in five seniors. without social security

3:26:26 to 3:26:41( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: most older americans would live in poverty without social security more than 50% of senior citizens would be living this poverty today. because they can use the money, seniors are excellent targets for

3:26:41 to 3:26:58( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: economic stimulus checks. because they can use the money they will spend it quickly. the chart i have here next to me, madam president, is a remainder. the senate bill provides rebate checks for 20 million

3:26:58 to 3:27:11( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: americans. the house of representatives excludes rebate checks for these 20 million americans. americans over age 65 spend 92% of their incomes. households headed by a person over age 75 spend 98% of

3:27:11 to 3:27:24( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: their income. that's higher than any other demographic group over the able of 25 of the seniors spend their money. that means a check sent to a senior will have a greater bang for the buck in terms

3:27:24 to 3:27:43( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: of helping the economy. the finance committee amendment helps 20 million seniors last out of the house bill. the finance committee amendment provides seniors checks with $500 and the house of representatives

3:27:43 to 3:27:57( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: bill will not help the 20 million seniors it also provides rebate collects for a quarter million disabled veterans. the finance committee amendment makes them eligible to receive the same $500 as wage earners

3:27:57 to 3:28:11( Edit History Discussion )

Max Baucus: and social security recipients. it is not right to exclude 250,000 disabled veterans from getting a rebate check which is what happened under the house bill. but those folks will get rebate checks under

3:28:11 to 3:28:26( Edit History Discussion )

the senate bill. and the veterans administration will distribute the rebate. the house bill, again, does not provide disabled veterans who don't pay taxes the rebate checks. the finance finance finance