May 20, 2024
Retiree Group Endorses Ruben Gallego for the U.S. Senate
Cites His Commitment to Expanding and Protecting Earned Social Security and Medicare Benefits
Phoenix – Members of the Alliance for Retired Americans proudly announced their endorsement of Ruben Gallego for election to the U.S. Senate from Arizona today citing his work to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, lower prescription drugs prices, and stand up for veterans. The Alliance for Retired Americans is a grassroots advocacy organization with more than 50,000 members in Arizona and 4.4 million across the United States.
“Representative Gallego has a proven record. He will always fight for older Arizonans in the U.S. Senate. His pro-retiree votes in Congress have earned him a perfect 100% lifetime score in the Alliance’s annual Congressional Voting Record,” said Linda Somo, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans. “We know Ruben will work to expand and preserve our hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits in the Senate. More than 1.5 million Arizonans rely on Social Security benefits every month. As a senator, Ruben will continue the fight for our earned benefits for current and future generations.”
“I am honored to have earned the support of the Alliance for Retired Americans in this race. I will never stop fighting to ensure that Arizona’s seniors have access to their hard-earned benefits and affordable prescription drugs,” said Representative Gallego. “Extremists like Kari Lake want to rip away these benefits, but as Arizona’s next U.S. Senator, I will continue to work in partnership with the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans towards our shared mission of protecting Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, and making sure our seniors can retire with dignity.”
“Previously I spent about $7,000 per year on out-of-pocket prescription medication costs,” said Doug Hart, board member of the Arizona Alliance. “Under the new cap that Ruben worked to pass, I will be on the hook only for the first $3,300 this year, before Medicare foots the rest of the bill. Next year, the cap will be lowered to $2,000. I can go and see my grandkids in Chicago instead of paying for prescription drugs.”
“I have enormous respect for Ruben Gallego for his military service and the work he has done for all veterans,” said Vic Peterson, First Vice President of the Arizona Alliance and a veteran himself. “He was instrumental in passing the PACT Act, which will provide benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. He also introduced the Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act, which would allow veterans to keep their separation pay should they qualify for VA disability.”
“The stakes couldn’t be higher for Arizona seniors. We need Ruben Gallego in the Senate fighting against any plan to cut Social Security and Medicare,” emphasized Somo. “Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recently said ‘there is a lot you can do…in terms of cutting’ Social Security and Medicare and he is reportedly seeking to defund Social Security by cutting its dedicated revenue. The Republican Study Committee (RSC), which includes nearly 80 percent of House Republicans, stands ready to make cuts as well. Their budget proposal includes $1.5 trillion in Social Security cuts, and will raise the retirement age to 69.”
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Contact: Dora Vasquez, retirees@azaflcio.org
