Senator Ostrich suggests that in order to end poverty, all we need to do is pay everyone

Question:

Senator Ostrich suggests that “in order to end poverty, all we need to do is pay everyone making less than the poverty line the difference between what they are earning and the poverty line.” Ostrich argues that, based on the set of people currently below the poverty line, this would cost $98 billion per year. Why is Ostrich understating the costs of this program?