Retirees Angered by Congressional Defeat of Help for Social Security Recipients

December 08, 2010

Amidst Talk of Tax Cuts for the Rich, Republicans Block Help for Struggling Seniors

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2010

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to the defeat of bills in both the U.S House and Senate to provide a one-time $250 payment to seniors.
 
“In a week defined by tax cuts for millionaires, retirees are stunned and outraged that Congress would reject a one-time $250 payment to seniors who, for the second year in a row, have been denied a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) by an arcane and outdated federal statistical formula.

“This legislation is critical to retirees, but unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it.  While Democrats continue to protect Social Security, Republicans continue to advocate risky schemes to privatize it and cut benefits.  America’s seniors deserve better.

“It is the height of callous hypocrisy that many on Capitol Hill can simultaneously lead the fight for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while at the same time deem it excessive to give $250 to retirees struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table in this cold winter.

“The average senior receives $1172 per month from Social Security, an amount on which it is very difficult to make ends meet.  A one-time $250 payment may be just dinner and drinks for those on Wall Street, but it would make a real difference for seniors on Main Street.

“Retirees are terribly disappointed by these votes on Capitol Hill.”


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Contact:
David Blank (202) 637-5275
dblank@retiredamericans.org

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