Issue Position: Protecting Medicare & Social Security

Issue Position

Our seniors shouldn't have to worry that their Social Security checks, which they worked hard for, will always clear and that Medicare will be available to them. I'm fighting to protect and strengthen these essential programs for future generations and will always oppose any attempt to privatize them or cut benefits. In Congress, I've strongly opposed attempts to reduce the cost-of-living adjustment and access to Social Security, and voted against a budget plan that would have ended Medicare as we know it.

We also have to do more for our greatest generation and for our residents who are approaching retirement age. With my Three-Part Senior Security Strategy, my goal is to make it more affordable for seniors to stay in Jersey and enjoy their retirement here with their families. First, I'm working to cut taxes and help seniors save more of their hard-earned money during their golden years by co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to finally put an end to the double taxation of Social Security benefits. The second part of our plan is working to pass a bipartisan bill to prevent this income from being garnished by debt collectors. Third, I'm fighting to protect seniors' pocketbooks against the onslaught of aggressive Medicare scammers. Social Security and Medicare are the foundation of our retirement security; they should be a guarantee -- not a gamble or put at risk in any way.

Last but not least, I introduced the bipartisan Senior Housing Improvement and Retirement Accounts (IRA) Act, to give seniors the opportunity to save money so they can stay right here in New Jersey. My legislation cuts taxes for seniors if they sell their home and use a Roth IRA for retirement savings. New Jersey seniors are moving away because they cannot afford to stay, which is why I introduced this common-sense plan to help them save and stay in the Garden State.

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