News Release

“We at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare mourn the loss – and celebrate the life – of Congressman John Lewis.  To John Lewis, social and economic justice were inseparable. That is why he not only fought for civil rights his entire life, but for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid – among other programs that benefit retirees, working people, the poor and disabled.   He was a staunch champion of American seniors, standing up for their financial and health security in vote after vote during 33 years as a member of Congress.  Rep. Lewis threw his support behind measures to enhance seniors’ well-being, such as allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and expanding Social Security.  He consistently opposed policies that would hurt seniors, including the Chained CPI and privatization of Social Security.  The Congressman stood up to ‘entitlement reformers’ proposing to cut benefits or gamble retirees’ benefits on Wall Street, and pushed back on doomsayers claiming Social Security won’t survive the coming decades.  ‘People are being lulled into believing that Social Security will not be there for the younger generations. Not only will Social Security survive, it will thrive,” Congressman Lewis said.  We will miss the Congressman’s unremitting belief in a better future.  John Lewis is gone, but he blazed a path for the rest of us to follow in the ongoing struggle for social and economic justice for seniors – and all Americans.”

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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff.  The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

Media Inquiries to:

Pamela Causey (202) 216-8378/(202) 236-2123
Walter Gottlieb (202) 216-8414