Congressional Voting Record

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Voting Record 2008 -  2008 saw dramatic change come to Washington.  Key retiree issues included whether to privatize Social Security, continue the wasteful subsidies under Medicare Advantage, and allow the continuance of the confusing Medicare Part D prescription drug program without the ability to negotiate for lower drug prices.  Voters responded and the result was increased majorities in Congress and a major change in the White House.

Voting Record 2007 - In 2007, retirees saw a new Congress come to Washington. The great wave of voter discontent in 2006 led by retirees, who vote in the greatest numbers, elected new majorities to both houses of Congress. For retirees and older Americans, the threats of Social Security privatization, the fallout from the confusing Medicare Part D prescription program, and a tax system skewed toward the wealthiest Americans all contributed to the change in Congress.

Voting Record 2006 - In 2006, Congress enacted legislation that again contributed to record level spending deficits and deepened the nation's budget and fiscal crisis. By November, retirees made their feelings known at the polls.

Voting Record 2005 - In 2005, we saw Congress once again enact legislation that worsened the nation’s budget and fiscal crisis at the expense of retirees and older Americans. In the face of the largest deficits in the nation’s history, Congress deepened the crisis and favored only the wealthiest Americans with tax cuts. In addition, even before the Medicare Part D prescription drug program went into effect, its many flaws quickly became evident. Yet Congress did nothing.

Voting Record 2004 - The year 2004 saw national political focus on congressional activity take a back seat to the presidential election. As busy as Congress was in 2003 on retiree issues with the Medicare prescription drug legislation, 2004 did not have as high a level of activity. Nonetheless, Congress did address key issues such as government spending, pension protections, and veterans’ health care.

Voting Record 2003 - In 2003, Congress directly assaulted the quality of life for retirees. Congress passed, and President Bush signed, legislation that creates a privatized Medicare drug program that benefits insurance and pharmaceutical compa- nies, not older Americans. The Medicare Part B program, which covers physician services, is now subject to means-test- ing based on income, undercutting the core of social insurance principles. A third consecutive year of tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans threatens the financial stability of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. Just as the baby boomer generation is ready to retire, budget deficits are now at an all-time high.

Voting Record 2002 - In 2002, retirees and older Americans had the opportunity to make their voices heard loud and strong at the polling booth. America’s seniors traditionally vote in disproportionately higher numbers than the rest of the voting population, especially in mid-term congressional election years like 2002. So it comes as no surprise that this past year has seen much activity in Congress directed at older Americans. Unfortunately, there have been few positive results. Issues such as the creation of a comprehensive Medicare prescription drug benefit plan, pension protection reforms, a patients’ bill of rights, and the longterm stability of Social Security still remain unresolved. Yet elected officials will try to convince older Americans that they are on their side.

Voting Record 2001 - 2001, even before the September 11 attacks, was unfriendly to retirees. Promises of a Medicare prescription drug benefit went unfulfilled. Irresponsible budget and taxation policies threatened the Social Security and Medicare surpluses. Unjustifiable efforts to privatize the Social Security system continued throughout the year. Even a consensus railroad retirement bill took the entire year to pass.