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
After months of far-right extremists hijacking our appropriations process, Congress has completed the final part of the FY 2024 budget, which will help Americans deal with high prices, sides with the hard-working middle class, protects women’s rights, and reinforces America’s global leadership. I am pleased to report that my final community project funding request was approved, which means, in total, I will be bringing home nearly $19 million to the 9th Congressional District of Illinois.
During his State of the Union address last Thursday, President Joe Biden emphasized that America is a story of progress, possibilities, and resilience. He delivered a strong speech that detailed how far we have come under his leadership, the hurdles we have cleared, and his bold, optimistic vision for the future.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement after House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, a package of six domestic funding bills focused on helping families and communities across the United States. The legislation will provide American families relief from the higher cost of living, combat climate change, and honor America’s commitments to its veterans and servicemembers.
As I have said many times before, we live in the richest country in the world at the richest moment in history. Yet, many Americans are unable to feel the full magnitude of our wealth. One of the biggest problems we face is income inequality. As big corporations continue to rake in record profits, there are many families struggling to put food on the table. For this reason, I was one of the 70 members who voted against a $78 billion tax bill that came before the House of Representatives.
I had an absolutely fabulous week back home in the 9th Congressional District! I love getting to be out and about in our community, whether I am visiting a school, touring a non-profit organization, or meeting with local elected officials.
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), and Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) reintroduced the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act. The bill modernizes and improves SSI by streamlining the claiming process, increasing asset limits, setting the minimum benefit at 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and eliminating punitive reductions in benefits.