Larson: Congress Should Help Seniors Weather Economic Storm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2010

CONTACT: Emily Barocas/202-225-7295

LARSON: CONGRESS SHOULD HELP SENIORS WEATHER ECONOMIC STORM

Washington, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) responded to word that the Social Security Administration will announce later this week that seniors won't receive a cost of living adjustment to their Social Security benefits this years.

"After a lifetime of hard work, seniors are being hit particularly hard during these tough economic times. They are finding it harder and harder to put food on the table, pay for their prescriptions and live on limited income. While Congress doesn't have control over the cost of living adjustment that seniors receive to their Social Security payments based on inflation, we can and should provide them with a fully paid for one-time payment to make it easier for seniors to make ends meet this year.

"We've already taken steps to help seniors weather the economic downturn – providing seniors with a $250 check as part of the Recovery Act and giving seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "donut hole" a rebate. We are standing up to Republican threats to privatize Social Security and turn Medicare into a voucher program. I'll continue to fight to protect Social Security and make retirement easier for this country's seniors."

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