Washington, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter called on the Democratic Leadership to widen the economic stimulus package to include senior citizens on fixed incomes.

Shea-Porter’s request follows a discussion she had with House Leaders last week, in which she expressed her concern about leaving these seniors out. She was following up on a pledge she had made to a caller who asked her about this issue during the Congresswoman’s interview on the New Hampshire Public Radio program, “The Exchange.”

The current stimulus plan is the result of a bipartisan compromise between the President, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader John Boehner. Although economists almost universally agree that providing tax rebates to low income individuals is the most effective form of fiscal stimulus, the President’s initial proposal had omitted low-income Americans. The compromise plan included some benefits for low-income working Americans who pay Social Security taxes but not income taxes. However, the plan does not include many poorer seniors who rely only on Social Security.

“Low-income seniors could really use this money right now,” said Shea-Porter. “Extending the tax rebate to seniors is not only the fair thing to do, but it’s also one of the best ways to stimulate the economy. This helps all of us.”

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United States House of Representatives
Office of Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
1508 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515

Media Contact: Clark Pettig
(202) 225-5456 phone • (202) 225-5822 fax •
http://shea-porter.house.gov/

Congresswoman Shea-Porter's letter to Speaker Pelosi