For Immediate Release: October 22, 2010

Contact: Heather Moeder Molino  (703) 615-5371

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ruppersberger is honored to receive the endorsement from the Alliance for Retired Americans.  Congressman Ruppersberger is committed to improving the lives of Maryland seniors.  The Congressman opposes privatizing Social Security and believes seniors deserve a guaranteed, dependable monthly benefit protected from the uncertainty of the stock market.  Congressman Ruppersberger voted for legislation that eliminates the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the “doughnut hole,” backed legislation to prevent elder abuse, and supported legislation to prevent home foreclosures for older Americans.  

“Maryland seniors have raised their families and paid their taxes.  They deserve to live their golden years happy and healthy.  It was an honor to support these important pieces of legislation to help America’s seniors in these tough times,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).  

The Congressman voted in favor of several key pieces of legislation important to older Americans.  The Congressman:  

• Opposed $196 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (H. Con. Res. 141).  
• Supported legislation to prevent home foreclosures by providing $300 billion in government loanguarantees for home refinancing (H.R. 3221).   
• Voted for the Medicare Improvement Bill that expands access to Medicare for low-income seniors, adds preventive health care and mental health services, and prohibits cuts to physician reimbursement rates (H.R. 6331).
• Backed legislation to protect seniors from elder abuse by training prosecutors and law enforcement officers how to better protect older Americans (H.R. 5352).
• Supported legislation adding $5.1 billion to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and $477.2 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (H.R. 2638).

The Alliance for Retired Americans is a non-partisan organization that advocates for older Americans on the local, state, and federal level.