In a historic and critical vote, Congress today passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Designated as a "key vote" by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, the elected officials' vote are posted on AARP's Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so that individuals across the nation can see how their elected official voted on this legislation.

"Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals have forced every American to take notice of this dire moment in history," said Robert Gallo, State Director for AARP Illinois. "The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a critical moment for Americans young and old and a vital to helping our ailing economy."

"While this landmark legislation is crucial to addressing our nation's most pressing issues today, many critical issues remain, including bolstering and securing the housing market, protecting homeowners from foreclosure and jumpstarting the credit markets," added Gallo. "We are hopeful for bipartisan solutions to these issues as Congress and the new administration move forward."

In a recent letter from AARP CEO Bill Novelli to House and Senate leadership outlines the most important issues for older Americans in this legislation:

The bill contains many provisions that we believe are paramount to promoting economic growth, assisting those most affected by the economic crisis, and providing the foundation for meeting critical needs, such as health care and the development of livable communities. Among the provisions we agree are especially needed are:

    --  A $250 economic recovery payment for older persons, veterans, and
        individuals with disabilities who are ineligible to receive a Make Work
        Pay credit.
    --  A significant increase in Medicaid spending that will help to stimulate
        the economy as the current economic downturn causes caseloads to rise
        while revenues plummet.
    --  Essential building blocks for health care reform, including support for
        health information technology that includes critical privacy
        protections, health care comparative effectiveness research, and nurse
        and primary care training.  These changes are critical because we cannot
        fix our economy if we do not address our broken health care system.
    --  An increase in funding for the Social Security Administration at a time
        of significant caseload increases.
    --  Affordable health insurance via subsidized COBRA for those who have lost
        health coverage along with jobs.
    --  An extension and increase in unemployment benefits.  Over the past
        twelve months the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen by 65
        percent.
    --  An increase in Food Stamps and other nutrition support.  Fixed and
        low-income individuals face unacceptable choices as food costs increase
        along with the price of medicine and health care.
    --  An increase in the Weatherization Assistance Program to help low-income
        and older couples reduce their energy costs.
    --  A substantial increase in funding for transportation infrastructure
        projects that expand mobility options, including mass transit, rural and
        para-transit programs, and improved coordination of human services
        transportation programs.
    --  An increase in the loan value limit for FHA-insured reverse equity
        mortgages that would allow greater numbers of older homeowners to safely
        tap the equity in their homes to refinance unaffordable mortgages,
        obtain more suitable housing, pay medical bills or just meet daily
        living costs.

ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VOTES ON RECOVERY ACT:

    SENATORS:
    Roland Burris (D) - YEA
    Dick Durbin (D) - YEA

    REPRESENTATIVES:
    Melissa Bean (D) - YEA
    Judy Biggert (R) - NAY
    Jerry Costello (D) - YEA
    Danny Davis (D) - YEA
    Bill Foster (D) - YEA
    Luis Gutierrez (D) - YEA
    Debbie Halvorson (D) - YEA
    Phil Hare (D) - YEA
    Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) - YEA
    Timothy Johnson (R) - NAY
    Mark Kirk (R) - NAY
    Daniel Lipinski (D) - PRESENT
    Donald Manzullo (R) - NAY
    Peter Roskam (R) - NAY
    Bobby Rush (D) - YEA
    Janice Schakowsky (D) - YEA
    Aaron Schock (R) - NAY
    John Shimkus (R) - NAY

SOURCE AARP Illinois

http://www.aarp.org