S.Res. 155Senate108th Congress (2003-2005)Passed Congress

A resolution protecting social security beneficiaries from cola cuts.

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Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7115; text as passed Senate: CR S7115; text of measure as introduced: CR S7159-7160)

May 23, 2003

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Introduced in Senate

May 23, 2003

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Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7115; text as passed Senate: CR S7115; text of measure as introduced: CR S7159-7160)

May 23, 2003

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 155 on the floor

2 Republicans

Sen. Trent LottR-MS · Apr 3, 2003

Mr. President, today I rise to commemorate the fifth anniversary of National Tartan Day. While it is observed on April 6 of each year, I make this recognition today because the Senate is not expected to be in session on that date. I want to remind my colleagues that the resolution which establishes National Tartan Day was Senate Resolution 155. It passed by unanimous consent on March 20 of 1998.

As an American of Scottish descent, I appreciate the efforts of the individuals, clan organizations, and all the many other groups who were instrumental in generating support for the resolution. These groups worked diligently to foster national awareness of the important role that Americans of Scottish descent have played in the progress of our country.

The purpose of National Tartan Day is to recognize the contributions that Americans of Scottish ancestry have made to our national heritage. It also recognizes the contributions that Scottish Americans continue to make to our country. I look forward to National Tartan Day as another opportunity to pause and reflect on the role Scottish Americans have played in advancing democracy and freedom. It is my hope that this annual event will continue to grow in prominence, with ceremonies and activities similar to those that have been held over the past few years. Scottish Americans have helped shape this Nation. Their contributions are innumerable. In fact, three-fourths of all American Presidents can trace their roots to Scotland.

In addition to recognizing Americans of Scottish ancestry, National Tartan Day reminds us of the importance of liberty. It honors those who strived for freedom from an oppressive government on April 6, 1320. It was on that day that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. It is the Scottish Declaration of Independence. This important document served as the model for America's Declaration of Independence.

In demanding their independence from England, the men of Arbroath wrote, ``We fight for liberty alone, which no good man loses but with his life. `` These words are applicable today to the heroism of our American veterans and active duty forces who know the precious cost of fighting for liberty--a fight that is taking place at this moment as a coalition of military forces seeks liberation for the people of Iraq.

Senate Resolution 155 has served as a catalyst for the many States, cities, and counties that have passed similar resolutions recognizing the important contributions of Scottish Americans. I would like to thank all those groups and individuals who have continued the work of reminding the world of the stand for liberty taken on April 6th almost 700 years ago--in Arbroath, Scotland. A call for liberty which still echoes through our history and the history of many nations across the globe.

I believe April 6 can also serve as a day to recognize those nations that have not achieved the principles of freedom which we hold dear, and which we are fighting for even now. The example of the Scotsmen at Arbroath--their courage--their desire for freedom--still serves as a bright beacon today.

Sen. Arlen SpecterR-PA · May 23, 2003

I ask unanimous consent that the Daschle amendment numbered 834 be modified to be placed in the form of a Senate resolution; that the resolution, be adopted the preamble be adopted, with a motion to…

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Agreed to SenateIssued May 23, 2003

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 155 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 155

Protecting Social Security beneficiaries from COLA cuts.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 23, 2003

Mr. Specter (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr.
Allard, Mr. Allen, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr.
Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning,
Mr. Burns, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Carper, Mr.
Chafee, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Mr.
Conrad, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Daschle, Mr.
Dayton, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr.
Durbin, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mrs.
Feinstein, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Frist, Mr. Graham of Florida, Mr. Graham
of South Carolina, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr.
Hatch, Mr. Hollings, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr.
Jeffords, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms.
Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. McCain, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Mikulski,
Mr. Miller, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr.
Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Reid, Mr.
Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Schumer, Mr.
Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens,
Mr. Sununu, Mr. Talent, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, and Mr.
Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Protecting Social Security beneficiaries from COLA cuts.

Resolved, That the Senate finds that:
(1) Social Security provides a relatively modest insurance
benefit for seniors--many of whom rely on Social Security for
part or all of their monthly income. Without Social Security,
forty eight percent of beneficiaries would be in poverty today.
(2) In order to protect benefit levels against inflation,
Social Security beneficiaries receive an annual cost-of-living
adjustment (COLA) based on Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
(3) The January 2003 COLA provided only a 1.4 percent
increase in Social Security benefits, increasing the average
monthly benefit for all retired workers by only $13 (from $882
to $895).
(4) Annual growth in Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket
health care costs for retired individuals on fixed incomes far
exceeded the small COLA increases provided to Social Security
beneficiaries.
(5) Reducing COLAs will disproportionately harm low-income
Social Security beneficiaries and push millions of seniors into
poverty.
Sec. 2. Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that
Social Security cost-of-living adjustments should not be reduced.
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