GOP blocks legislation to award seniors $250

[Thrill]

WASHINGTON – House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday thwarted Democratic efforts to award $250 checks to Social Security recipients facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase.

President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase.

But most Republicans contended that the nation couldn't afford the estimated $14 billion cost of the payment, and that the COLA freezes in 2010 and 2011 come after seniors received a significant boost in 2009.

The measure was brought up under a fast-track procedure in the House that required a two-thirds majority for passage. The 254-153 vote in favor of the bill fell short of that.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the financial aid was critical to seniors facing rising costs and falling home values and was fiscally responsible. "But unfortunately," she said, "congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101208/ap_on_bi_ge/us_social_security_no_cola

LOL. You won't hear this on your Nightly News. Unreal

[Inchworm]

1. Seniors and disabled don't -reeally- need heat and food

I think the uber-rich houses them all when it's needed in their extra summer homes.

:banghead:

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. It's OK.

I would have donated it to the RNC anyway.

:sarcasm:

[dkf]

2. But they will pass unemployment extensions and the middle class tax cuts right?

Lol lol lol.

[Uzybone]

3. this will never get front page news

But the end of the Bush tax cuts would have gotten its own countdown clock right next to New Years on the cable networks.

[AlinPA]

4. Headlines will be: "Democrat Controlled Senate Denies Seniors $250".

[eridani]

5. Why fast track? Isn't that a guaranteed loss? n/t

[Life Long Dem]

6. Why am I not hearing this tonight on the news?

Do you think it makes the Republicans look bad?

[cutlassmama]

8. Apparently so.

:mad:

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. I just e-mailed Scott Brown.

and will call his office tomorrow. FWIW.

Lousy bastards.

[no_hypocrisy]

10. To paraphrase #43: It's THEIR money . . . .

[GoCubsGo]

11. All I can say about this one is...

To the teabagger seniors: Bed. Made. Lie. Of course, as was pointed out upthread, the Democrats will get all the blame for it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. And Some Here Think They Can Be Shamed Into Extending UI

They would turn the poor into fertilizer if they could.