As Chairman of the Aging Committee, I explore and investigate issues that concern all elderly Americans. In today's economy, many seniors are struggling to meet rising health care and prescription drug costs. They are bearing more risk in their pension plans and are coping with new challenges that stand in the way of a secure retirement. And as Hurricane Katrina taught us, we are now aware that seniors are often overlooked in our nation's emergency response plans.

 

I am proud of the work that the Aging Committee has done to help protect seniors. We have made it a priority to lower the cost of prescription drugs by promoting the use of generic drugs and by encouraging increased disclosure of the pharmaceutical industry. We have worked to shine a bright light on the problems many of our most vulnerable seniors face, such as investment fraud, elder abuse, and nursing home neglect. We have also highlighted the outstanding contributions older Americans make to our country economically, creatively, and intellectually.

 

Our work will remain vital in the coming years and decades. In 2000, 35.1 million Americans were senior citizens. That number will nearly double by 2025, to 63.5 million senior citizens. I am proud to lead this committee, and appreciate the opportunity to work with my Senate colleagues, as well as advocates in Wisconsin and across the nation, to fight for seniors.