Senate vote on the $250 to seniors

This is from the Alliance of Retired Americans:

$250 Payment to Social Security Recipients Voted Down By Senate
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) lost a bid on Wednesday to boost the income of millions of Social Security recipients and offset the elimination of the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2010. His amendment calling for $13 billion to fund a one-time, $250 payment to seniors, veterans, and the disabled needed 60 votes to pass, but failed 47-50. For a tally of the vote, go to http://bit.ly/bTH5iG. The amendment was to be attached to legislation that would extend jobless benefits and COBRA health care subsidies. There will be no COLA this year due to low inflation. Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance, said, "The purchasing needs of seniors are unique, and often include medications needed to stay alive. We insist that the Senate realize the importance of this $250 payment to struggling retirees." Sen. Sanders also said that the fight for the measure, which President Obama included in his budget, would continue.

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Missouri: Senator Bond did not vote and Claire voted against the measure.
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Illinois:
Burris (D-IL), Yea Durbin (D-IL), Yea
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our folks might wish to thank those senators in Illinois (and we do). Missouri, one might wish to leave a short message and ask why they did not vote in one case and why a no vote. ------------------
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Also, was this payment a sort of "bribe" during election time to shut up old folks? Election give-a-ways are pretty common.

Also, it is so nice that there is no inflation. Alas, seems my food bill, energy, cable and taxes all went up. Maybe they missed the memo.