Senators Hutchison, Cornyn Vote to Give Rebates to Older Americans

AARP Welcomes Senate's Inclusion of Older Americans in Economic Stimulus
Package

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released by
AARP:

AARP TEXAS KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT

ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is recording House and Senate roll call votes on
key issues throughout the 110th Congress, and informing its 39 million members
of the results of these key votes.

SUMMARY: By an overwhelming majority, the U.S. Senate today passed an
amendment to the economic stimulus package that will provide stimulus support
to approximately 20 million older Americans who depend primarily on Social
Security. This vote is a critical step toward passing a fair and targeted
stimulus package that would put money into the hands of people who will
quickly put it into the economy and provide support to those who need it most.

The amended stimulus package would provide a $300 rebate check to any American
with $3000 of qualifying income - including Social Security income - in 2007,
and up to $600 for individuals who pay income taxes. Rebates would be doubled
for married couples filing jointly, and families would receive an additional
$300 per child under age 17. It would also count veterans' disability
payments as qualified income, extending rebate eligibility for up to 250,000
disabled veterans.

TEXAS VOTED YES VOTED NO
TO GIVE REBATES TO TO GIVE REBATES TO
OLDER AMERICANS OLDER AMERICANS
Hutchison, Kay Bailey x
Cornyn, John x

*Did not vote
** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or
her legislative performance, which should also include such things as
constituency services and committee work.

"AARP applauds Senators Hutchison and Cornyn for voting to include older
Americans in the stimulus package," said Bob Jackson, AARP Texas state
director. "They understand that Americans of all ages are feeling financial
pressure and can play a role in stimulating the economy. This bipartisan
package is timely and targeted - putting money in the hands of people who will
spend it quickly and providing support to those who need it most. We look
forward to the President's signature on the final package.

AARP has supported a stimulus package that includes older Americans with an
aggressive campaign on Capitol Hill and through grassroots volunteers, who
have contacted the Senate with more than 220,000 emails and phone calls.

AARP notified the 110th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key
legislation important to its 39 million members and reporting the outcomes of
these votes back to its members. "We believe people make the right choices
when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials.
AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information," Jackson
concluded.

AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+
have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and
affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates
for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or
candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin,
our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in
Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 +
educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an
affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to
older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and
sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP-Texas

Rafael Ayuso of AARP, +1-512-419-8299