Petition Signatures Delivered to Sen. McCaskill

Regional Volunteer Director Jim Clemmons and Associate State Director for Advocacy Norma Collins delivered the names of 50,059 Missourians that signed AARP petitions urging Congress not to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits for deficit reduction to Sen. Claire McCaskill’s (D) office in Springfield on Nov. 16.

Across the nation, AARP collected more than 6.5 million petitions, signed by individuals who oppose any budget deal that cuts the benefits they worked for, directly to members of Congress. The petition drive, under the AARP Protect Seniors campaign, was part of an ongoing effort to communicate the need to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from harmful cuts by the “super committee.”

“With a typical income of less than $20,000, older Americans today rely on Medicare and Social Security,” said Clemmons. “Our members are very concerned about potential cuts to these lifeline programs, and they’re calling on their Senators and Representatives to look beyond the numbers and protect the people who have earned and need these benefits.”

Television station KOLR-10 (CBS affiliate) captured the presentation to McCaskill staffer Megan Hammer for the evening news show that included an interview with Clemmons about the Protect Seniors Campaign conducted by news anchor Sonya Kullman.

In part, the petition read:

“As one of your constituents and as a member of AARP, I urge you to oppose any budget deal that cuts Social Security and Medicare benefits to reduce the federal deficit. Instead of cutting the benefits I worked for, Congress should be cutting waste and closing tax loopholes. I worked my entire life and paid into the system so I’d have a guaranteed source of income and health coverage when I retired. Congress needs to make responsible decisions to reduce our nation’s deficit, but they can do so without harming the health and economic security of seniors and future retirees.”

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