During last night’s first joint address to Congress, President Biden talked a lot about his new plans for strengthening what is being called “human infrastructure.”

And we were pleased that he reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Americans fully recover from the worst pandemic in a century, strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, increasing funding for home- and community-based care for older adults, lowering prescription drug costs and making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.

While we had hoped he would have made a strong showing of support for boosting Social Security, it’s clear he is committed to strengthening America’s social safety net programs, and that includes Social Security. And despite its omission in the President’s American Families Plan, President Biden also made it clear that lowering prescription drug costs is a critical priority of his Administration. According to President Biden:

“We all know how outrageously expensive drugs are in America. In fact, we pay the highest prescription drug prices of anywhere in the world. … Let’s give Medicare the power to save hundreds of billions of dollars by negotiating lower drug prescription prices. … And the money we save, which is billions of dollars, can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and expand Medicare coverage benefits without costing taxpayers an additional penny. … Let’s get it done this year.”

In the immediate weeks ahead we will fight to get the “Lower Drug Costs Now Act” over the finish line in Congress and onto the President’s desk for his signature. This critical bill will not only lower prescription drug prices it will also expand Medicare to include coverage for basic hearing, vision and dental care — a critical priority of the National Committee and other seniors' advocates.

We are encouraged by President Biden’s vision for America. And we look forward to working with the Biden Administration in passing legislation that will benefit millions of workers and retirees by strengthening their retirement and health security.

But we cannot forget that Washington remains deeply polarized. And our opponents in Congress and their wealthy special interest backers remain more determined than ever to blocking significant improvements to America’s social safety net programs and slashing your earned benefits.

That’s why we simply cannot take anything for granted. We must keep the pressure on President Biden and all members of Congress to introduce, pass and sign into law bills that will really make a real difference in the lives of older Americans, especially after being devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Committee is counting on our million+ members and supporters to stay informed and get involved as this fight to strengthen America’s social safety net programs takes shape in the immediate weeks ahead. Please give one urgent gift today to help us organize, mobilize and make our voices heard on Capitol Hill as we battle for the future of Social Security and Medicare!