Seniors group lauds Guinta for work on Seniors Act

N.H. Congressman Guinta accepts award from AMAC President and CEO Dan Weber on Thursday night. (Courtesy photo)

WASHINGTON - The Association of Mature American Citizens last week awarded New Hampshire Congressman Frank Guinta its 2016 AMAC Award, one of only two awards the organization's 1.3 million members present annually to members of Congress whose work to protect Social Security and Medicare stands out.
AMAC President and CEO Dan Weber presented Guinta, NH-1, the honor Thursday night at a capital reception, where nearly 200 guests attended the ceremony, also featuring Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada.

Weber thanked Guinta for his contributions to older Americans' health and retirement.
"Few members of Congress are as quick to fix a crisis as Congressman Guinta," he said. "When he heard there would be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for seniors this year, he immediately introduced H.R. 4140 to get seniors a bump in benefits, while eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in the government to pay for it. For championing seniors, and preserving Social Security now and for future generations, AMAC is pleased to recognize Congressman Guinta for his tireless work."

"New Hampshire seniors are some of the most patriotic citizens I know," said Guinta. "Many are U.S. military veterans. They deserve our thanks and commitment to protect the health and retirement benefits this country promised them. But Social Security and Medicare face insolvency. I'm honored to receive AMAC's award, recognizing my work to help Granite Staters and Americans secure their health and retirement.
"My bipartisan Seniors Act would cut wasteful federal spending to grant them, including veterans, the cost-of-living increase they deserve. Thank you to Dan Weber, AMAC members and my fellow honoree Congressman Joe Heck for all they do."
For just the third time in 40 years, the Social Security Administration declined to grant seniors a COLA in 2016. Guinta introduced the bipartisan Seniors Act (H.R. 4140), which cuts billions of dollars of federal waste to provide a COLA, which would be disbursed as a one-time payment equal to 12 percent of seniors' November 2015 benefit.

The bill, which is currently in committee, applies to veterans benefits as well.
In the 114th Congress, Guinta voted for the Older Americans Act to reform outdated federal meal assistance and employment programs for seniors. The bill also strengthens programs to prevent elder abuse. To protect Social Security and Medicare from insolvency, Rep. Guinta has voted against a number of spending bills adding to the national debt, including Obamacare, which cut Medicare funding.