Reiterating This Congress's Commitment to America's Seniors

Floor Speech

* Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, Democrats have an unassailable record when it comes to protecting the rights of seniors, and I rise today to thank all of my fellow Seniors Task Force Members for their continued commitment to America's seniors.

* As the party that consistently fights efforts to dismantle Social Security and Medicare, we understand that many older Americans depend on these federal programs just to make ends meet. These parts of the social safety net constitute a right of all seniors to meet their needs for financial security and high quality, affordable health care.

* The current Medicare system already delivers the best care in the world and it is strengthened by provisions in the health-care bill that was recently signed into law. Our bill fulfills this right to affordable medicines by beginning to close the ``donut hole,'' a process which is starting this year. The right to quality, affordable health care also means helping seniors avoid getting sick--our bill makes preventive care free for Medicare beneficiaries.

* Seniors also have the right to a secure retirement, including a secure pension. Democrats will take action to secure this right in the coming weeks.

* And one of the most important rights that every American senior has is the right to live with dignity. Federal policy should therefore be aimed at empowering seniors to make important decisions with family members, not insurance bureaucrats.

* Seniors have a right to be protected from scams and fraud including credit card company abuses, identity theft, and mortgage schemes. That's why the financial reform legislation, which will be sent to the President in the coming weeks, is so critical to enact immediately. By reining in the ability of Wall Street executives to gamble away our retirements we will help put our economy on a path to financial stability. We will fulfill this right of America's seniors to have economic security and create an economy that we will be proud to pass on to future generations.

* Madam Speaker, America's seniors want to guarantee America's place as a leader in a global economy by reinvesting in manufacturing and American-made goods, training students to be the workforce of the future, and ensuring there are job opportunities for anyone who wants or needs one.

* Thanks to the Recovery Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Wall Street Reform Act this Congress is making each of these rights a reality for our seniors.

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