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.
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After seven straight weeks in Washington, I wish I could tell you that Congress passed legislation to better the lives of everyday Americans. Unfortunately, I cannot. House Republicans spent the majority of the time putting forward legislation that has no chance of becoming law. Last week was a perfect example. In a partisan power grab, House Republicans voted to censure Rep.
Last week, House Republicans continued to push forth their agenda that will harm everyday Americans. The Republican Study Committee, which is composed of over 170 House Republicans, put forward their plan to strip away the Social Security benefits that Americans have worked so hard to earn. This is theft and we cannot stand for it; Americans deserve to retire with dignity and respect.
Last week, House Republican leadership canceled planned votes amid a revolt by conservative members that brought votes on the House floor to a halt. Many far-right members are retaliating after Republican leadership negotiated with President Biden to raise the debt limit, avoiding a catastrophic debt default. Now, these far-right members are holding the floor of the House of Representatives hostage.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip, Senior Budget Committee Member, and Executive Board Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023:
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated. In the meantime, Kevin McCarthy and the Republicans in Congress are still pushing for cruel budget cuts that will harm millions of Americans. One of my GOP colleagues even said that Republicans "don't feel like negotiating with their hostage." The lives of Americans are not a game. The GOP must stop holding the most vulnerable among us hostage. Democrats in Congress will continue to fight back against these awful proposals.
The GOP said the quiet part out loud, "they don't feel like negotiating with their hostage." One of their hostages is Janet, a constituent of mine who relies on her Social Security Disability because she is unable to work. Janet's life is not a game.
I wish I could tell you that we have reached an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, which is really agreeing to continue paying the debts of the United States, but Republicans continue to insist on massive budget cuts. Cuts which, among many things, would strip health care from thousands of America’s veterans, seniors, and children. The Republicans in Congress are holding our economy and the American people hostage.
Meet Janet from Chicago. She’s on Social Security Disability because she suffers from a chronic mental illness. She wants to work but can’t. Republicans holding our economy hostage puts her only income at risk. There are millions of Janets around the US. Don’t hold Janet hostage!
The United States is now on track to set a record in 2023 for mass killings. Just last week, a neo-Nazi with an arsenal of firearms killed eight people and wounded seven others at a Dallas-area shopping mall. These tragic mass shootings are in addition to the everyday shootings that we continue to see. We need action now. As a proud member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I have had conversations with my Republicans to see if there is anything at all they could agree to. We need universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and so much more.