Alliance for Retired Americans publishes latest voting record

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 4, 2021) — The Alliance for Retired Americans last week released its 2020 Congressional Voting Record, which scored each U.S. Senator and Representative on critical retirement security issues.

“Almost every member of Congress claims to care about older Americans,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “This report considers key House and Senate floor votes to determine who actually stood up for seniors in the midst of a global pandemic. It is a tragedy that more than 443,000 Americans 65-years-old and older died of COVID-19.”

The annual report reviewed 10 Senate and House floor votes including bills and amendments to address the pandemic by providing funds to improve health and safety in nursing homes and fund coronavirus treatments and vaccines; adequately fund the Postal Service to ensure the delivery of prescription medications; stop the repeal of the Affordable Care Act; and protect older workers from discrimination.

Forty-seven members of the U.S. Senate and 214 members of the U.S. House of Representatives earned perfect 100 percent scores. Thirty-seven senators earned scores of 20% or below, including John Thune (SD, 11%); Charles Grassley (IA, 20%), Ron Johnson (WI, 20%) and Mitch McConnell (KY, 20%). Eighty-six House members earned a score of 0%.

“What happens in Washington, DC matters to the daily lives of retirees and their families. Votes in Congress can strengthen or weaken retirement security immediately and into the future,” said Fiesta. “We urge all older Americans to review our Voting Record to make sure they know what their senators and representatives are doing for them.”

Both the national 2020 Congressional Voting Record and a version for each state delegation is available online here.

The Alliance for Retired Americans is a nationwide grass roots organization, launched in May 2001, with more than 4.3 million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics, and institutions that shape American life. Learn more here.