Seniors
In these difficult economic times, the face of retirement is changing. Our seniors rely even more on the guaranteed benefits of Medicare and Social Security for a safe and healthy retirement. Seniors are changing jobs, staying on the job longer and going back to school – not just because they want to, but because they have to. I am working to support Arizona’s seniors, including:
Social Security
I am committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security. I strongly oppose privatizing the program. I also oppose those in my own party who seek to raise the eligibility age.
The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform will report by December on how to preserve Social Security. This bipartisan commission should be our starting point for how to tweak the formula to keep Social Security strong for generations to come.
- I cosponsored Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) to repeal the Government Pension Offset provision that shorts some recipients of the benefits they deserve.
- I cosponsored The Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5987), to provide a one-time $250 payment for retirees if there is no cost of living adjustment in 2010.
Medicare
I voted to make Medicare stronger by making basic preventive care FREE for seniors receiving Medicare, extending the solvency of the Medicare trust fund into the 2020s and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors receiving Medicare.
Older Americans’ Workforce Agenda
I introduced my Older Americans’ Workforce Agenda with the help of my Senior and Aging Issues Advisory Council, a 53-member group of Southern Arizona community leaders on issues affecting seniors. My Older Americans’ Workforce Agenda will help seniors get the jobs they need and want and give them the financial assistance they need if they choose to go back to school.
JOB Act
I introduced the Older Americans’ Job Opportunities Blueprint (JOB) Act (H.R. 5558). This sets in motion a national initiative to help those seniors who want or need work to find it. This bill expands eligibility of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include older workers (over age 55) by extending this credit to employers that hire workers 55 and older whose income is below the 125th percent of the poverty threshold.
Back to School Act
I introduced the Back to School Act (H.R. 5557) which provides tax credits to Americans 55+ to go back to school. This bill creates a tax credit of up to $2,500 a year of qualified education expenses for seniors who enroll in part-time or full-time classes at an accredited educational institution. It extends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit through December 31, 2012. It also creates a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce within the Department of Labor to collect, organize, and disseminate older worker information.
Creating Jobs
Our nation has just experienced the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. I am working to create jobs and a strong new foundation for the America that works for the middle class.
I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which has created and saved almost 2.8 million jobs, including teachers, police and firefighters. The Recovery Act also cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans and small businesses.
In addition to this act, the HIRE Act I voted for has helped to create 300,000 jobs and unleashed tens of billions of dollars to rebuild infrastructure across the U.S.
With more than 300 days of sun annually, the solar industry can create thousands of good, high-paying jobs in my home state of Arizona. That’s why I have fought to extended the solar investment tax credit and partnered with local businesses and military installations to promote investment in renewable energy manufacturing, installation, research and development.