Number: 111- 62
Date: December 10, 2010

Congress Rejects Bills to Authorize a One-Time Payment of $250
to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Beneficiaries

 

On December 8, 2010, the House and Senate each acted on bills that would have authorized the Department of the Treasury to disburse $250 payments to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.

  • The Senate defeated S. 3985, the “Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2010.”  The Senate voted 53-45 on the motion to limit debate to the bill    (S. 3985) — short of the 60 votes required to overcome a potential filibuster.
  • Earlier in the day, the House considered H.R. 5987, the “Seniors Protection Act of 2010,” under suspension of the rules, a procedure that requires a two-thirds majority for passage. The 254-153 vote fell short of that requirement.
  • Further action is unlikely during the last days of the 111th Congress.