Fiesta: If a Budget Reflects a Party’s Values, Then the GOP Must Not Value Seniors

Republicans in the U.S. House passed a bill on Wednesday to cut federal spending dramatically and unwind many of President Biden’s recent economic accomplishments, pairing those provisions with a plan to raise the debt ceiling until 2024. 

H.R. 2811, called the "Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023" by the GOP, slashes numerous important programs and services that older Americans rely on. The vote tally was 217-215, with no Democrats voting for the legislation.

“Today the House Republicans voted on their so-called debt ceiling plan. A political party’s budget reflects its values, and clearly the GOP does not value older Americans,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance, immediately after the bill was passed. 

Fiesta also stressed that Republicans are threatening to 

set off a national and global financial crisis if their demands are not met and issued a dire warning about what the bill entails.

“This dangerous bill will cut 22% of the Social Security Administration’s budget, forcing local Social Security offices to close and lay off their staff. That means seniors will have to wait even longer to get answers to questions about their earned benefits,” he said.

The bill also:

• slashes food assistance for more than 1 million low-income seniors — many of whom rely on government food programs to get their only meal of the day;
• cuts oversight of nursing homes, putting thousands of the most vulnerable seniors at risk of living in alarming and unsanitary conditions;
• jeopardizes millions of Americans’ multi-employer pensions that are guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and
• would lead to the eviction of at least 430,000 low-income families from Section 8 housing, 80% of which are headed by seniors.

“Retirees are watching these developments closely. They will remember who values them — and who doesn’t,” Fiesta concluded.

You’re Invited! Alliance Town Hall with Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Social Security Commissioner

Dr. Kijakazi

Alliance members are invited to join Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), for a Retiree Town Hall on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 1:30 PM Eastern Time. 

Dr. Kijakazi will share insights about Social Security and discuss what the impact on beneficiaries will be if the 22% SSA budget cut, passed by the House this week, becomes law. 

Please click here to join the event.

Biden Announces Run for Second Term as President

On Tuesday President Biden formally announced his plans to run for reelection in 2024, citing the need to take on MAGA extremists who are "[c]utting Social Security that you’ve paid for your entire life while cutting taxes for the very wealthy."  

“President Biden has been steadfast in his protection of Social Security, Medicare and pensions since he took office,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “His 2024 campaign is shaping up to offer a sharp contrast with Republican plans, which are already centered on continuing to offer tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.”

Today is Workers Memorial Day

Workers Memorial Day is today, April 28, and the labor movement is observing the occasion by remembering workers killed, injured, or made ill on the job while renewing the fight for strong safety and health protections.

More than 50 years ago on April 28, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job — a fundamental right. The law was won because of the tireless efforts of the labor movement, which organized for safer working conditions and demanded action from the government to protect working people.

The White House is also joining the effort, issuing a proclamation to honor every American worker who has sacrificed their own life or well-being; to stand with the unions that fight for them every day; and to recommit to protecting the fundamental right to a safe and healthy workplace.

“The best thing we can do to improve worker safety is urge Congress to pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “It will make it easier to join or form a union — and a safer working environment is a key element for enjoying a more comfortable retirement later.”

The PRO Act, introduced by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) in the U.S. House as H.R. 20 and by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the Senate as S. 567,  would mean not only improved worker safety, but also other benefits such as pensions, employer contributions to retirement plans and improved health care coverage.

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