Seniors
Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old. As the Co-Chair of the House Democrats Task Force on Aging and Families in the House of Representatives, I believe it is essential that we nurture a culture that respects older Americans and that protects the financial and health security that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid provide.
Older Americans have spent many years working to raise families, pay their taxes, protect our country and build our communities. They have the right to the benefits that they have earned and to know that they will have the resources they need in retirement. That is why I so strongly oppose efforts to privatize Social Security or reduce benefits, to turn Medicare over to private insurance companies and turn it into "vouchercare", or jeopardize access to long-term care services by cutting Medicaid and turning it into a block grant. We can ensure the longevity of these programs by making them more efficient. We do not need to cut benefits.
I am also committed to expanding access to the full range of long-term care services and supports, and helping seniors age in place within their own communities. We must build upon the Older Americans Act to meet those needs.
More on Seniors
The U.S. House of Representatives passed three bills from the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, which I chair. H.R. 6435 addresses the rising number of scam artists and fraudsters looking to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about known scams and ways to protect themselves.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed three bills from the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, which I chair. This bill, H.R. 2610, specifically addresses fraud targeted at senior citizens and Native American tribes, including pandemic-related schemes.
EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement in recognition of Veterans' Day:
"Today we come together to honor our nation's 17.5 million veterans. I am so proud to represent nearly 20,000 of them in Illinois' 9th Congressional District. We honor and appreciate them and all they gave to ensure the well-being and security of our country.
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip, Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, released this statement after President Trump said he would mail seniors a one-time $200 prescription drug discount card, raiding the Medicare Trust Fund after failing to take any action to actually lower prescription drug prices:
WASHINGTON – Following the passage of H.R. 8337, which includes provisions to prevent an up-to-$50 per month hike in Medicare Part B premiums, the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families (TFAF) leadership released the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Today, the Task Force on Aging & Families, led by Co-Chair Doris Matsui (D-CA) along with Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM), demanded in a letter that USPS Postmaster General DeJoy immediately reverse harmful policies that have delayed the delivery of social security checks and jeopardized the financial security of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. The letter, signed by 23 Members of the U.S.
EVANSTON, IL – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, voted in favor of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. The bill passed by a vote of 257-150. Schakowsky issued the following statement after the vote:
"Today, I was proud to vote YES on the Delivering for America Act. This bill requires the USPS to maintain the operations and protocols in place at the beginning of this year – Jan. 1, 2020. It will also provide a boost of $25B in funding for the U.S. Postal Service.
EVANSTON, IL - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, released the following statement on the 85th anniversary of Social Security, which was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935:
WASHINGTON – In response to President Trump's executive action destabilizing Social Security and Medicare, the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging & Families released the following statement:
"Americans are facing both a public health crisis and an economic one due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is nothing short of cruel that President Trump has chosen this moment to plunge Social Security and Medicare into chaos, along with the millions of children and older Americans who survive on these earned benefits.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, released a statement highlighting significant victories for Illinois' 9th Congressional District and other communities across America in H.R. 7617, the second fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, that just passed the House.