Seniors

February 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Change to Win executive director Greg Tarpinian on the United States Senate’s failure to pass the economic stimulus package.

“Yesterday the obstructionist Republican minority blocked a much needed stimulus plan that would have brought help to millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. With the economy spiraling downward and America’s working families hurting, now is not the time to short change them or the economic future.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, February 7 – The Senate late this afternoon voted 81 to 16 for an economic stimulus package that adds tax rebates for retirees and disabled veterans to a House-passed version of the bill.

“I am glad the stimulus package was substantially improved by adding help for 20 million seniors on Social Security and 250,000 veterans living on disability benefits. Including seniors and veterans will help people truly in need, and it will help the economy overall. It’s the right thing to do,” Senator Bernie Sanders said.    » read more »

Kerry Pushed for Rebate to Seniors, Women and Veterans

02/07/2008 -- WASHINGTON — Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) welcomed the Senate passage of the Senate Finance Committee’s Economic Stimulus Package today. The bill is a strong response to America’s recent economic downturn, and will strengthen America’s economy by keeping more Americans in their homes, delivering relief to 20 million seniors and lending support to 250,000 disabled veterans.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC-Following Senate passage of the economic stimulus package, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

“The plan passed today includes key improvements over the House-passed bill. Pennsylvania’s senior citizens and disabled veterans will benefit from the compromise worked out today.    » read more »

February 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the passage of the Senate economic stimulus package.

“Today’s vote is a victory for working families, and a vital first step to get our economy back on track.    » read more »

February 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate's passage of the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008, H.R. 5140, which passed by a vote of 81 to 16. Yesterday, Senator Obama voted in favor of the economic stimulus package, which was initially blocked by Senate Republicans.    » read more »

February 7, 2008 -- Washington, DC — Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today announcing a bipartisan agreement on the economic stimulus plan:

“Two weeks ago most Senate Republicans were quick to endorse the House stimulus bill without any revisions, even though they knew it was inadequate. I said back then that the Senate had two obligations: to improve the bill and to deliver a timely, temporary and targeted bill by Presidents’ Day Weekend. Senate Democrats have kept those promises.    » read more »

Disappointed Republicans Refused to Extend Unemployment Assistance and Help Low-Income Americans with High Heating Costs

February 7, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today stated that she was pleased that Senate Republicans agreed to add senior citizens and disabled veterans to the economic stimulus package, meaning that in addition to millions of Americans they will receive rebate checks.

However, she expressed deep disappointment that the rest of the Democratic measures were not included in the bill.    » read more »

Avoid Break In Coverage

February 6, 2008 -- Apply online at www.cbrx.il.gov for faster processing or call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966 or Circuit Breaker at 1-800-624-2459 for more information    » read more »

AARP poll finds overwhelming support for rebate checks for people dependent on Social Security

February 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – A new poll by AARP finds an overwhelming majority of Americans (90%) think the government must ensure that people dependent on Social Security are included in any stimulus rebate package, even if they are divided on whether a rebate plan would effectively stimulate the economy (52% agree it would - 42% do not agree).    » read more »

Senator Kerry Had Pushed to Remove Roadblock to Social Security Benefits

01/30/2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, welcomed the retraction of a rule that would have blocked America’s elderly and disabled from obtaining deserved benefits. Senator Kerry sent a letter on December 20, 2007 expressing his concern for the proposed rules. In a similar letter sent last week, Sen.    » read more »

01/29/2008 -- The House passed an economic stimulus package on Tuesday as Senator Bernie Sanders and other senators stepped up their efforts to make it more effective. “The Senate has got to do a lot of work on that legislation and improve it," he said of a deal cobbled together by the Bush administration and House leaders. Sanders and other senators want to expand unemployment benefits, increase funding for home heating programs and food stamps, bolster job-training programs, and provide tax rebates for a larger percentage of the elderly.    » read more »

28 January 2008 -- President Bush is urging U.S. congressional leaders to speedily approve a new $150 billion stimulus package aimed at boosting the country's sluggish economy and helping middle to low income Americans. One group of Americans paying keen attention to the economy is the elderly.    » read more »

Plan to Reduce Traffic Fatalities Among Seniors In 25 Neighborhoods Across New York City

January 29, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Department for the Aging Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago today launched "Safe Streets for Seniors," a major new pedestrian safety initiative for older New Yorkers, which will work in conjunction with the new All Ages Project that's re-envisioning what it means to grow older in New York City.    » read more »

January 2008 -- Washington, DC – Bill Novelli, AARP’s CEO, issued the following statement in response to a federal economic stimulus proposal by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. AARP will host a conference call press briefing today at 1:30 to discuss tonight’s State of the Union address and economic stimulus proposals; see details below.

“Chairman Baucus understands that Americans of all ages are feeling financial pressure and can play a role in stimulating the economy.    » read more »