Gillibrand Holds First Aging Committee Hearing As Ranking Member, Focuses On Improving Wellness Among Seniors And Setting A Standard For The American Dream

Gillibrand Holds First Aging Committee Hearing As Ranking Member, Focuses On Improving Wellness Among Seniors And Setting A Standard For The American Dream

Jan 16, 2025

Yesterday, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand and Chairman Rick Scott held a hearing entitled "Improving Wellness Among Seniors: Setting a Standard for the American Dream." During the hearing, the senators discussed overall health, personal and community safety, and the benefits of socializing and working later in life.

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Watch here.

Senator Gillibrand's remarks as prepared for delivery below:

Thank you, Chairman Scott.

I am excited to serve as ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging for the 119^th Congress.

First, I want to thank Senators Casey and Braun for their committee leadership during the 118^th Congress. The committee examined many important issues and I'm ready to continue that work as ranking member.

Senator Scott, congratulations on your position as chair of this committee. I look forward to working closely with you during this Congress.

I'm also pleased to welcome both new and returning committee members. I am eager to hear your perspectives and work with you to solve issues that older adults, people with disabilities, and their families face.

The Aging Committee has a long history of bipartisanship. I hope we continue that tradition to advance an agenda that makes sure our loved ones can age with the support they need and with dignity and respect.

  This Congress, I hope to continue working to lower prescription drug costs, guard against financial scams, and protect the programs that older adults and people with disabilities rely on, such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.  

  Today, we are discussing how to promote wellness among older adults. We'll address issues like accessible housing, financial security, and engagement with the community. 

  This conversation is about making sure that we are creating and supporting a society that gives people the tools to live and age well.  

  Those tools are different for everyone, but include resources like nutrition assistance programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, supportive housing programs, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security. 

  I believe that it is our job to make sure these resources exist and are robust enough to support all who need them.  

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses and discussing ways to improve wellness for older adults and people with disabilities.

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