THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE
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November 8, 2010

NEWS RELEASE

Leading Seniors’ Advocate Says Congress Needs
Speaker Pelosi’s Leadership

Statement by Barbara B. Kennelly on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's
Candidacy for Democratic Leader

“It’s a time of great uncertainty for millions of Americans—especially retirees who’ve been told their Social Security benefits should be cut, the retirement age raised or the program privatized as a way to balance the books.  Congress needs leaders who understand that programs like Social Security and Medicare are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. Speaker Pelosi has been a steadfast supporter of our nation’s seniors, survivors, disabled and their families and we need her leadership in Congress now more than ever. She’s an experienced leader who delivered on the President’s legislative promises including health care reform.  Contrary to the rhetoric of fear, time will show that seniors have benefited from health care reform thanks to a number of provisions which close the Part D donut hole, improve preventative care, fight fraud, and add a decade to Medicare’s solvency.

Speaker Pelosi also supports COLA relief legislation providing a one-time payment of $250 to seniors who face the second year in a row with no Social Security cost of living increase. Seniors and their families need Speaker Pelosi’s leadership in the House at a time when many of our nation’s most successful programs are under attack.” …Barbara B. Kennelly, President and CEO

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