Running Out of Time, Protecting Medicare

Running Out of Time
House Republicans continue to waste time on proposals that would end Medicare, cut Medicaid benefits, and jeopardize Social Security while protecting the top 2 percent of Americans. Passage of a short term deal will only lead to higher interest rates, a credit downgrade and another crisis in six months. Now is the time for us to join together to reduce our deficit, protect the full faith and credit of the United States and restore economic growth to our nation.

Congress must find a bipartisan, balanced solution so we can turn our focus back to America’s number one priority – jobs. House Democrats are committed to revitalizing our economy and creating new good paying jobs.

46th Anniversary of Medicare
Tomorrow marks the 46th Anniversary of Medicare. On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this historic legislation into law; providing economic security to our seniors and, as President Johnson said, ‘dignity in their later years’. Today, Medicare provides comprehensive and affordable health care coverage to 47 million Americans, including 39 million seniors and 8 million under age 65 with disabilities.

My Democratic colleagues and I are dedicated to preserving and strengthening Medicare for future generations. The Affordable Care Act signed into law last year, added eight additional years to Medicare’s solvency without cutting benefits. As we move to reduce our federal deficit, it is crucial that this landmark legislation is protected and that our nation’s seniors are able to retire with the dignity they deserve.

Congresswoman Pelosi joins Medicare beneficiaries to mark the 46th Anniversary of Medicare.

Ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Last week, President Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen certified that requirements for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell have been met. The repeal will go into effect on September 20, 2011.

One of my proudest moments in Congress was joining with my colleagues to pass the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Act during the 111th Congress. This next step by President Obama brings our country that much closer to eliminating this discriminatory and harmful policy. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has weakened America’s security by depriving our nation of the service of thousands of gay and lesbian troops who have served their country honorably – and forcing even larger numbers of troops to lie about who they are. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a marker of progress for every American, a sign of our long-held ability to change for the better and advance our ideals in each generation. I commend the President, Secretary Panetta, Admiral Mullen, and our military leaders for advancing the fundamental rights of all Americans and taking this bold step forward for our country.

Celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Martin Luther King – Marcus Garvey Square Cooperative Apartments
This week, the Martin Luther King-Marcus Garvey Square Cooperative Apartments (King-Garvey Apartments) in San Francisco’s Western Addition celebrated their grand re-opening. Due to rising expenses, the King-Garvey Apartments, built in the 1970’s to provide low-income San Franciscans with the opportunity to have an ownership stake in their homes, fell into despair. Conditions worsened until the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) nearly rescinded the development’s Section 8 status and therefore, the apartment’s federal funding, and threatened to foreclose on the property in 2008.

Along with other City leaders, I worked with HUD to allow the King-Garvey community to retain their Section 8 status and forgo foreclosure. A working group of my staff and other community advocates actively engaged with the Cooperative’s Board to help them rehabilitate the property and address the deficiencies identified by HUD inspections. Improvements to the King-Garvey community include an extensive renovation of all 211 units, upgraded landscaping, expanded play areas, laundry facilities and a refurbished community center. I congratulate the King-Garvey Apartments on their grand re-opening and commend them for working to increase access to affordable housing in our community.

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