Governor Maggie Hassan Speaks at AARP Forum, Highlights Her Commitment to Protecting Social Security in the Senate

Today, Governor Maggie Hassan spoke at the AARP New Hampshire U.S. Senate Forum, highlighting her commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security for years to come and preventing special interests from preying on seniors' hard earned benefits.

"As Governor, I have always fought to support New Hampshire's seniors, and in the United States Senate I will always fight to protect Social Security and strengthen the program for years to come," said Governor Maggie Hassan. "Unfortunately, Senator Kelly Ayotte has stood with her corporate special interest backers in efforts to undermine Social Security and balance the budget on the backs of our seniors. Granite State seniors deserve better, and as Senator I will always fight for them and the benefits they have earned."

Governor Maggie Hassan has a proven record of supporting seniors in New Hampshire. As Governor, Maggie signed a law that strengthened protections for seniors by making financial exploitation of elderly, disabled or impaired adults a criminal offense and another law requiring the state to develop an educational program on Alzheimer's disease and provide training to law enforcement on Alzheimer's. She also signed into law a seniors bill of rights, and required it to be posted in housing establishments for the elderly. And Governor Hassan signed the CARE Act, which improves patient care and supports caregivers who help make it possible for seniors to live independently at home. In 2015 the AARP honored Maggie as a Capitol Caregiver for her efforts.

As Senator, Maggie will stand up to those trying to turn Medicare into a voucher program, and she will fight any attempt to privatize or cut Social Security. She will also work to enhance Social Security by ensuring that caregivers can get credit toward their Social Security benefits when they take time off or reduce working hours to care for family members.

But in Washington, Senator Kelly Ayotte has stood with her special interest backers like the Koch Brothers in working to undermine Social Security. Ayotte cosponsored a bill opposed by the AARP because it would have cut $1.3 trillion from Social Security, slashing Social Security benefits by nearly 20%. At the urging of the Koch Brothers' political arm, Senator Ayotte also voted for a Republican plan that would have forced deep cuts to Social Security. Ayotte has voted against protecting Social Security from privatization and benefit cuts, and has signaled her support to raise the retirement age for Social Security, even saying just weeks ago she was open to it.

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