Can the Secretary of State limit corrective payments to current recipients?

The Secretary argues that he can limit corrective payments to current recipients. He contends the district court failed to accord sufficient deference to his interpretation of the statute. The district court held the regulation inconsistent with the statute's language, legislative history, and purpose. Our review is de novo. Native Village of Stevens v. Smith, 770 F.2d 1486, 1487 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1121, 106 S.Ct. 1640, 90 L.Ed.2d 185 (1986).