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Senior Citizen Politics
Democrats Today Put Senior Citizen Issues High on
Agenda for New Congress
Lower drug prices, more stem cell research, higher
minimum wage should help seniors
 January 4, 2007 - The Democrats took charge of
Congress today with specific plans on the first legislation they intend
to pass, which includes several of significant importance to senior
citizens. At the top of this list for most seniors is the legislation
that will order Medicare to negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies
for lower priced drugs. The House leadership says that will happen
Friday, January 12. This is the fourth bill on the House list. New
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says it will be Senate Bill 3 in the
new senate.
Reid said it is our plan to reduce drug costs for
seniors.
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Strengthening Social Security Rated as Very
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Majority support health care proposals by
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 January
3, 2006 - As the new Congress is sworn in tomorrow, Speaker
of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat
leadership will find that saving Social Security is still very important
to the American public, with almost nine in 10 U.S. adults (88%) saying
they would support reform to ensure that the Social Security fund has
enough money to provide benefits for all Americans for the next fifty
years. The question was much broader than one that would measure support
for specific reforms, like the private investment accounts promoted by
President Bush but spurned by Congress and the voters.
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Clock Starts Thursday on Democrat Pledges for
Negotiated Drug Prices, Freeing Up Stem Cell Research
New speaker wants insurers to offer
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 January 2, 2007 Democrats take control of the
Congress on Thursday and the clock starts ticking on the pledge to pass
legislation mandating Medicare negotiate for better prices from the drug
companies and restrictions are lifted on federal funding for embryonic
stem cell research both vehemently opposed by President George W.
Bush. These are just two of the hottest health care items the Democrats
are expected to be pushing. One problem, however, is they have not found
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Democrats Face Opposition on Bills to Negotiate Drug
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December 18, 2006 The Democrat's promise of a
bill early next year to force the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for better prices on
Medicare drugs appears to have a problem, according to the latest report
from KaiserNetwork.org. And, there are problems seen in trying to pass
other parts of their health care agenda, including getting rid of the
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Democrats Will 'Mandate' Negotiations for Medicare
Prescription Drugs: Pelosi
Bill one of six to be
passed in first 100 days of new Congress
December
15, 2006 - Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday at
a briefing outlined priorities for Democrats in the first 100 hours of
the 110th Congress and said they will seek to pass legislation that
would require
HHS to
negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on the prices of
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on
Politics for Senior Citizens |
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The flaws in the Medicare drug program are well
documented, but many can be traced back to one simple fact: the law --
as written -- puts drug companies ahead of America's aged.
No matter whether we supported or opposed the law
that created the Medicare drug benefit, we all want to improve the
program for older Americans and people with disabilities. It is our
obligation to do so. Now, the federal government-with the millions of
seniors it represents through Medicare-is unable to negotiate for lower
priced drugs.
As a result, Medicare beneficiaries are hostages
to insurance companies, drug companies, and HMOs.
Another legislation action that may view as
important to older Americas is federal funding of stem cell research,
which was vetoed by President George W. Bush.
Reid said Senate Bill 5 is the "Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act of 2007."
It is legislation we seek to pass, so that some
day American scientists may find cures for diseases like Parkinson's and
Diabetes, he said in his first speech as the Senate leader.
Today, there are millions of Americans suffering
from debilitating diseases that stem cell research could cure. For these
Americans, stem cell is an area of science that offers hope, if only we
in Washington would allow this hope to flourish.
Last year, the Congress passed legislation
promoting stem cell research, only to see it vetoed by President Bush.
This year, we will consider this legislation again, and-on behalf of
millions of Americans looking for cures- urge President Bush to
reconsider his veto.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released the
schedule for the first 100 legislative hours of the 110th Congress,
which will begin on Tuesday, January 9th.
He said the House will consider their bill to
expand stem cell research on Thursday, January 11.
Another issue that many do not consider an issue of
great importance is an increase in the minimum wage. It will, however,
benefit millions of seniors who are trying to survive by holding down
minimum wage jobs. This bill be taken up by the House on Wednesday,
January 10, and will be Senate Bill number 2.
This is the list of actions Hoyer released for the
first 100 hours in the House.
● Tuesday, January 9 - Implement the 9/11
Commission Recommendations
● Wednesday, January 10 - Increase the Minimum
Wage
● Thursday, January 11 - Expand Stem Cell
Research
● Friday, January 12 - Allow
Negotiation for Lower Prescription Drug Costs
● Wednesday, January 17 - Cut Interest Rates on
Student Loans
● Thursday, January 18 - End Subsidies for Big
Oil and Invest in Renewable Energy
Reid told the Senate, In the first 10 bills we
will introduce this afternoon -- and in our on- going oversight of the
war in Iraq-we intend to address three priorities of the nation: one,
providing real security; two, restoring transparency, accountability and
responsibility to the United States government; and three, helping
working Americans get ahead by boosting wages and cutting costs in
health care, education and energy.
Following are his comments on the first ten bills
he will introduce.
We begin with S. 1, our plan to change the way
Washington works.
It was late 2005 when scandals involving lobbyists
and lawmakers shocked this nation, and despite the Senate's best
attempts, here we are -- two years later -- and still, there has not
been reform of ethics, lobbying, and earmarks.
The people deserve better, which is why -- as our
first order of business- we will seek to give Americans the open and
accountable government they deserve.
On Monday, we will start with the ethics bill that
passed the Senate last year. This bill included important improvements
in many areas, but it was not allowed to proceed because of politics in
the House.
This year, we will improve that legislation and
make additional reforms.
This legislation will include reforms to slow the
revolving door between government jobs and lucrative employment with
special interests. It will eliminate gifts paid for by lobbyists and
interests that hire lobbyists. It will limit privately funded travel
like the notorious golf junkets to Scotland. It will increase disclosure
requirements, so that the public will be better informed about the
activities of lobbyists. And it will increase penalties for those who
break the rules.
With these bipartisan reforms, we will help ensure
America has a government as good -- and honest -- as the people it
serves.
S. 2 is our plan to increase the wages of
working families by raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.
It's been 10 years since the minimum wage was last
increased. In that time, the cost of gas has increased. The cost of food
has increased. The cost of health care has increased. Even the salary of
Members of Congress has increased -- nine separate times, and by
$31,000. But through all this, the minimum wage has stayed the same.
It's long passed time America's workers received a
raise as well.
Today, a mother or father can work fulltime for the
minimum wage, but still live $5,000 below the poverty line. Adjusted for
inflation, the minimum wage is at its lowest since 1955.
Our legislation will directly raise the pay of
nearly 7 million Americans by more than $4,000, and by setting a new
salary floor; it will indirectly boost the wages of 8 million more
workers. That increase is enough to provide nearly 2 years of child
care, or full tuition for a community college degree, or over a year's
worth of heat and electricity, or more than 9 months of rent.
During the minimum wage debate, we will also likely
consider giving small businesses some tax relief.
S. 3 is our plan to reduce drug costs for
seniors.
The flaws in the Medicare drug program are well
documented, but many can be traced back to one simple fact: the law --
as written -- puts drug companies ahead of America's aged.
No matter whether we supported or opposed the law
that created the Medicare drug benefit, we all want to improve the
program for older Americans and people with disabilities. It is our
obligation to do so. Now, the federal government-with the millions of
seniors it represents through Medicare-is unable to negotiate for lower
priced drugs. As a result, Medicare beneficiaries are hostages to
insurance companies, drug companies, and HMOs
S. 4 is our plan to make America safer, by fully
implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.
Following September 11, 2001, the country turned to
a respected bipartisan group -- the 9/11 Commission -- to review the
lessons of that terrible day and to recommend better ways to fight the
war on terror. We realized we didn't need Democratic solutions or
Republican solutions to keep us safe. We needed bipartisan, American
solutions.
The Commission did a fine job, and made a number of
recommendations. Some were implemented. Others were ignored.
One year ago, the Commission delivered a report
card grading the government's progress in implementing its solutions.
Among their grades were 12 D's, 5 F's, and 2 Incompletes. These grades
made clear: we still have not done enough to make America safe.
We have work to do, and this legislation will do
it. Specifically, it will reinvigorate the fight against Osama bin
Laden, Al Qaeda, and the ideologies of violent extremists. It will
enhance the security of our transportation systems and our ports. It
will provide America's first- responders with the technology they need
to communicate with each other during a crisis, and it will make it a
priority to secure loose nuclear material around the world.
Finishing the job of implementing the 9/11
Commission's recommendations won't -- by itself -- win the war on terror
or guarantee 100 percent complete security for America. But we hope with
our legislation to improve on the worst of those grades -- those D's and
F's and Incompletes -- so that the American people can have every
confidence that Congress and the White House are taking every step
possible to keep America safe.
S. 5 is the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
of 2007."
It is legislation we seek to pass, so that some day
American scientists may find cures for diseases like Parkinson's and
Diabetes.
Today, there are millions of Americans suffering
from debilitating diseases that stem cell research could cure. For these
Americans, stem cell is an area of science that offers hope, if only we
in Washington would allow this hope to flourish.
Last year, the Congress passed legislation
promoting stem cell research, only to see it vetoed by President Bush.
This year, we will consider this legislation again, and-on behalf of
millions of Americans looking for cures- urge President Bush to
reconsider his veto.
S. 6 is our plan to promote energy independence,
so we can enhance America's security and begin to deal with the threat
of global warming.
For too long, our country's energy policy has had
only one concern: oil company profits. We've allowed Exxon's bottom-line
to take priority over families struggling at the gas pump and the
harmful effects of global warming.
In an effort to begin to solve the energy crisis,
our sixth bill will take an aggressive approach to reducing America's
dependence on oil, especially foreign oil, and putting more advanced
technologies in the hands of consumers. It will boost production of
electricity from solar, geothermal and other renewable sources that are
abundant in states like Nevada, and grow the nation's renewable energy
technology jobs and manufacturing base.
Freeing ourselves from Oil, particularly from
unstable regimes, is a tremendous challenge, but it's one we cannot
afford to ignore.
S. 7 is the "College Opportunity Act of 2007" --
our plan to make college more affordable for middle-class families.
In America today, a college education is more
important than ever. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive than ever.
Today, too many families are being squeezed trying to put their children
through school. In the last six years, the cost of college has increased
52 percent, while federal assistance -- in the form of Pell Grants --
has declined.
Our legislation will reverse this trend, by raising
the maximum Pell Grant award. It will also assist families by lowering
interest rates for student loans, and expanding tax breaks for college
costs.
S. 8 is the "Rebuilding America's Military Act
of 2007."
Today, because of Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S.
military is strained to levels not seen since Vietnam. While our troops
remain the finest in the world, the infrastructure is crumbling around
them. Nearly all of our combat divisions have been deployed, and 2/3 of
our Army combat brigades are not ready for combat. General Peter
Schoomaker, the Chief of Staff of the Army, testified last month that
"At this pace ... we will break the active component" of the U.S. Army.
We also have National Guard, Reserve and active duty veterans coming
back to America without sufficient help for the health care and
education.
If we want real security in America, we must
rebuild the U.S. military and ensure it remains the best fighting force
in the world.
S. 9 will secure America by undertaking
comprehensive immigration reform.
We passed a solid immigration bill in the Senate
last year. Unfortunately, it fell victim to politics in the House of
Representatives. Immigration reform is too vital to our security and our
economy to fall by the wayside, so we must deal with it again in 2007.
America's immigration system is broken. Our borders
remain un-secured. Our laws remain under-enforced. And we have 11
million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows.
Our bill will take a comprehensive approach to
repairing this broken system. With tough and smart reforms, it secure
our borders, crack down on enforcement, and lay out a path to earned
legalization for undocumented immigrants already living here.
Finally, S. 10 will reinstate "pay as you go
rules" to the budget process.
As everyone knows, the Senate used to operate under
a rule called "pay as you go." This simple proposition demanded that
when we increased spending-or cut taxes-we paid for it. It is a common
sense principle that families all across America practice. PAYGO was in
place here in the Senate in the 1990s, when our country experienced
unprecedented levels of economic growth.
Unfortunately, this rule disappeared in recent
years, and the results have been disastrous: 9 trillion dollars of debt,
the largest deficits in history, foreign debt that has more than
doubled, giving countries like Saudi Arabia and China unprecedented
control of our economic destiny.
We're facing a fiscal nightmare in our country. It
won't go away this Congress, and it will handicap our ability to do all
we need to do. But with PAYGO in place, we'll begin to get America on
the right economic track.
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