This week, lawmakers in the House and Senate remained in their home states and districts for the week-long Independence Day holiday recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill on Monday, July 10th..This unusual shift comes at a time when the number of Social Security beneficiaries starting retirement benefits has risen dramatically over the past decade. Since 2010, there has been a sizable 34% increase in the 65 and older population, those born between 1946 and 196The U.S. Census Bureau said in 2019 that "No other age group saw such a fast increase.".Most physicians do still accept Medicare, and most people insured by the federal program for seniors and people with disabilities have no problem finding another health care provider. But that transition can be tough, particularly for older adults with multiple medical conditions..Social Security benefits have lost 33 percent of buying power since 2000, according to the latest Social Security Loss of Buying Power Study released today by The Senior Citizens League. "One would think that a higher cost-of-living adjustment in 2019, combined with relatively low inflation, would lead to an improvement of buying power in Social Security benefits," says study author Mary Johnson, a Social Security policy analyst for the League. "But any improvement was offset by spiking costs of essentials, including out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs," Johnson says..On Friday, lawmakers in the House and Senate prepared to return to their home states and districts for a week-long recess. They are scheduled to be back in Washington on Monday, May 7th. In the meantime, many Members of Congress will be attending local events and hosting town hall meetings..Leaders in Congress seem optimistic that they will reach a deal in the coming days. In a brief with the Republican Conference on Thursday morning, House Speaker Paul Ryan said, "I believe we will successfully complete the negotiations. We're not going to rush it. We're going to get it right.".TSCL believes this would make no sense. It would rewards people for breaking our workplace laws at the same time Congress is considering major changes that would reduce benefits of those who paid into the system legally. TSCL supports legislation that would ban earnings made while in the U.S. illegally, from being counted toward entitlement to Social Security, including H.R. 787 the "No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act," introduced by Representative Dana Rohrabacher, and S. 95 introduced by Senator David Vitter..Many lawmakers feel that major Medicare reform is necessary, even though Congress has already made significant changes to the program this year. Do you agree, and if so, what changes do you think must be made?.By Representative Elijah E. Cummings,
