Vote Descriptions

The National Committee legislative staff has identified votes in the 118th Congress (2023-2024) on issues it believes to be of importance to seniors as well as all Americans. This list is not intended to be a complete account of all the votes and activities of U.S. Representatives and Senators, but we feel it is instructive with regard to earned benefits.

House 2023 (First Session)

1. Cut Seniors Programs. (H.R. 2811) On passage of the bill: Would have made severe funding cuts, beginning with a 22 percent decrease to all federal agencies, in exchange for increasing the debt ceiling. The cuts would have led to closures of numerous Social Security field offices, worsen Social Security and Medicare assistance wait times, and cut access to Older Americans Act programs like nutrition services, supportive services, family caregiver services, health promotion, disease prevention, in-home services and the long-term care ombudsman program. House Roll Call #199. April 26, 2023. Passed 217-215. National Committee Position: No.

2. Fiscal Commission and Program Cuts. (H.R. 5525) On passage of the bill: Would have cut federal spending by 30 percent, including important seniors’ programs, and called for the establishment of a fiscal commission, leading to potential deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. House Roll Call #511. September 29, 2023. Failed 198-232. National Committee Position: No.

3. Cut Nutrition and Food Security. (H.R. 4368) On passage of the bill: Would have cut funding for food and nutrition programs back to 2007 levels, cutting $8 billion from 2023. It threatened the ability to produce a safe, abundant and affordable food supply, as well as medicine and medical devices. House Roll Call #507. September 29, 2023. Failed 191-237. National Committee Position: No.

Senate 2023 (First Session)

4. Automatic Spending Cuts. (Senate Amendment 91 to H.R. 3746) On voting on an amendment offered by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN): Would have imposed a one percent across-the-board spending cut, including reductions to critical older Americans programs, every 30 days if H.R. 3746 (debt ceiling deal) had not passed. Senate Roll Call #137. June 1, 2023. Failed 35-62. National Committee Position: No.

5. Agency Funding. (Senate Amendment 106 to H.R. 3746) On voting on an amendment offered by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR): Would have required non-defense federal spending to face future cuts. As a result, severe cuts would have been made to critical services that seniors depend on including health care, housing and transportation. Senate Roll Call #142. June 1, 2023. Failed 48- 51. National Committee Position: No.

6. Federal Government Funding. (Senate Amendment 1366 to H.R. 6363) On voting on an amendment offered by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY): Would have reduced non-defense federal agency funding by 15 percent. The cuts would severely impact older Americans programs. Senate Roll Call #311. November 15, 2023. Failed 32-65. National Committee Position: No.