Paul Announces Seniors Agenda for Congress

FOR RELEASE: May 26, 2000

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, Congressman Ron Paul introduced his "Senior’s Legislative Agenda" in a letter to his senior constituents. The letter outlined his top priorities for the remainder of the 106th Congress. They include stopping the raid on the Social Security Trust Fund, excluding Social Security benefits from federal taxation, fixing Medicare and insuring seniors have access to affordable prescription drugs.

Paul said, "My top priority this Congress is bringing true reform to the Social Security system. That’s why the very first bill I introduced in this Congress was HR 219, the "Social Security Preservation Act." This bill would make it illegal for any money to be spent out of the Social Security trust fund for any purpose other than paying retirement benefits."

While the "Social Security Preservation Act" has not yet been passed, Paul discussed a landmark victory for seniors earlier in the year with the repeal of the Social Security earnings limitation. He was an original cosponsor of HR 5, which was recently signed into law. The bill ensures that seniors who wish to continue working after retirement age do not lose any of their Social Security benefits.

"I am proud of our success in repealing the earnings limitation," said Paul. "This is a great first step in providing true Social Security reform. Now we must continue to move forward with these reforms to protect our senior’s retirements and improve their standard of living."

Among Paul’s latest senior legislation is the "Pharmaceutical Freedom Act" (HR 3636). The bill gives seniors a tax credit of up to 80% of their prescription drug costs. Paul says lowering seniors' taxes to help pay for medications will benefit them more than creating a new Washington program full of red tape and bureaucratic regulations.

Paul said, "This legislation ensures that millions of American seniors have access to affordable pharmaceutical products. My bill makes pharmaceuticals more affordable to seniors by reducing their taxes. It uses free market forces, as opposed to government mandates, which will give seniors more choices and flexibility in deciding how to care for themselves and their loved ones."

In the coming weeks, Paul will address each issue on his seniors agenda in greater detail. Any questions concerning Paul’s senior legislation should be directed to Norman Singleton at 202-225-2831.