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Advocates Must Continue to Push Senate to Support Older Adults

Lawmakers are in their districts and states until July 20, but we expect that Senators will return to DC ready to move another round of coronavirus relief legislation by August. Now is a critical time to influence those policy decisions!  

We recently joined with three other national organizations representing the key levels of the Aging Network (ADvancing States, Meals on Wheels America and NANASP) to urge Congress to provide at least $1.1 billion in additional emergency funding to key Older Americans Act programs and services, with an emphasis on funding for nutrition services, supportive services and resources to address social isolation and technology gaps. Read the letter.

Throughout the recess, n4a will continue to engage key staff on important policy issues in Washington—including sharing highlights from the #AAAsAtWork for Older Adults report about the Aging Network's experience during COVID-19. But lawmakers must hear from their constituents about what local aging programs need to ensure that older adults stay safe during the ongoing crisis.

While the rest of Congress may be on recess, House appropriators are advancing the chamber's slate of 12 federal funding proposals for FY 2021—including for OAA and other aging programs. Check out n4a's recent Legislative Update for preliminary details on the House-proposed funding levels for OAA and other aging programs. Stay tuned for additional insights on the measure when the full House Appropriations Committee considers the measure next week.

Ready to take action? Our May 21 Advocacy Alert still has all you need to reach out to your Senators! You can also read our latest letters to Congress before you craft your own email.

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Contributors

USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!