Seniors to Get Rebate Checks in Economic Stimulus Plan
Wexler to vote in favor of Senate's revised package

(Washington, DC) Tonight, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) will vote in favor of the economic stimulus package passed by the Senate, which adds retirees and disabled veterans to the list of Americans eligible to receive tax rebates.  Last week, Wexler voted against the House version of stimulus package because many seniors who depend on Social Security as their sole source of income would have been ineligible for tax rebates.

“I could not in good conscience endorse an economic stimulus plan that leaves America’s seniors out,” said Wexler. “Seniors in Florida and across the country who depend on Social Security as their sole source of income are under enormous strain from the skyrocketing cost of health care and prescription drugs, property taxes, and energy prices. They are no different from the rest of our middle class who are struggling to get by in this challenging economy.  I commend my colleagues in the Senate who stood up to President Bush to include elderly Americans in this package, and I am pleased that I can now support a stimulus package to benefit both working families and seniors.”

The House of Representatives will vote tonight on the revised version of the economic stimulus plan. The legislation would authorize tax rebates of $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples, with additional checks for children, to most taxpayers.

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Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

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