Chairman Aguilar Announces House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during Older Americans Month, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar announced the Task Force on Aging and Families. Chaired by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Doris Matsui (CA-07), with Co-Chairs Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Vice Chairs Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), John B. Larson (CT-01) and Mark Pocan (WI-02), the Task Force will continue advancing policies and initiatives that improve the quality of life for older Americans.
“House Democrats have always believed that older Americans deserve health and financial well-being in their golden years,” said Chairman Aguilar. “As extreme MAGA Republicans double down on their relentless attacks on seniors’ hard-earned benefits, our fight to protect Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid has never been more urgent. Under the leadership of Representatives Schakowsky and Matsui, this Task Force will continue to make sure every American can retire with financial security and have access to the benefits they’ve spent a lifetime paying into.”
"Older Americans have spent their lives working to raise families, pay their taxes, protect our country, and build our communities. How are extremist Republicans thanking them? By threatening to take away hard-earned benefits like Social Security. Older Americans deserve to retire with dignity and respect, and deserve high quality health care and financial security," said Rep. Schakowsky. "For my entire career, I have fought for older Americans and working families, that is why I am proud to continue to serve as a co-chair of the Task Force on Aging and Families. Instead of cutting Social Security, we must expand it. Instead of raising prescription drug costs, we must lower them. Instead of punishing the hungry, we must support them. Democrats stand ready to protect older Americans and ensure that they have all the resources they need in retirement.”
“Since we founded the Task Force on Aging and Families in 2010, it has been a critical vehicle to ensure that Democrats have the tools to successfully respond to the concerns of older Americans,” said Rep. Matsui. “In a time when Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are under attack by our Republican colleagues, our Task Force is spearheading the actions to permanently protect these programs and allow our seniors to age with dignity. From lowering prescription drug costs to investing in the mechanisms that allow aging in place—we are working to improve the lives of older Americans and their families. I am proud to serve as co-chair once again in the 118th Congress and continue this vital work.”
“After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve to retire with financial security, proper medical and long-term care, and a quality of life that allows them to continue to live independently and with dignity,” said Rep. Dingell. “This isn’t just important for seniors, it’s important for families and caregivers who balance a lot to take care of aging family members. The number of Americans ages 65 and older will more than double over the next 40 years, and the work of this task force to ensure we are doing right by America’s seniors is more important than ever.”
“Our elders are the backbone and conscience of our communities, and we must legislate in a way that is intersectional and allows our seniors to lead meaningful and dignified lives,” said Rep. Pressley. “We must lower prescription drug costs, protect Social Security, expand access to home and community based services, and more—and I look forward to continuing our work on the Task Force to make sure our elders are taken care of and that those who care for them have the support they need.”
“Too many seniors are struggling to pay for their prescription drugs, affordable and safe housing, and nutritious food,” said Rep. Doggett. “Particularly in view of Republican policies that endanger our fulfilling the promise of Social Security and Medicare, I believe strong protections are needed to ensure every person ages in dignity and security.”
“I’m honored to serve on the Task Force on Aging and Families,” said Rep. Larson.“Since its founding in 2010, the Task Force has been at the center of Democratic efforts to deliver for seniors. Now, with Social Security, Medicare, nutrition benefits, and other dearly needed programs under threat from Republicans, this work is more vital than ever. I look forward to serving as a Vice-Chair and working with my colleagues to protect and expand the benefits that seniors rely on.”
“Older Americans have spent a lifetime working to be able to retire with dignity,” said Rep. Pocan. “Yet today’s extreme MAGA Republicans are dead set on cutting their earned Social Security and Medicare benefits. I’m honored to be a Vice Chair on this vital task force to fight back against these attacks on America’s seniors.”
Later this month, the Task Force plans to introduce the Older Americans Bill of Rights, which identifies and establishes the fundamental rights that every older American deserves
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