The Democrats want to put the Republicans on record as forcing seniors to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their dogs.
Actually, the Democrats have a very real chance of losing senior support permanently as more is disclosed about how the Dem agenda is being funded by cuts to senior programs. The Dems want to transfer/re-distribute funds from senior programs to minorities (including illegal ones), without losing senior votes.
$250 will not make up for what these people will be losing under ObamaCare.