Seniors group grades Illinois’ reps in Congress

 

Bill Knight column for 5-6, 7 or 8, 2021

 Eleven of Illinois’ House Representatives in Washington scored 100% in the Alliance for Retired Americans’ analysis of Congress’ 2020 voting record, released last week.

Two of the 18 in the state’s delegation received scores below 20: John Shimkus (R- Collinsville), was given a 13, and Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) got an 11.

The “grades” were determined on how the Representatives voted on 10 key votes, as set by the ARA, during the second session of the 116^th Congress, January-December 2020.

Besides LaHood, two other downstate Representatives – Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) – deserve reporting. Bustos received a 100; Kinzinger was given a 33.

(On the Senate side, Illinois Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin both were scored at 100. It’s noteworthy that last year’s GOP-majority Senate took no action except for four referrals to committees on all this legislation.)

Following is a breakdown of the 10 House issues and votes, and whether votes cast by Bustos, Kinzinger and LaHood agreed with pro-retiree recommendations:

 

Age Discrimination Rights

HR 1230 would protect older workers from discrimination by restoring protections lost through a U.S. Supreme Court decision, which raised the burden of proof to prove age discrimination in the workplace.

The bill passed 261-155; the Senate referred it to committee.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER YES

LaHOOD NO

 

Postal Pensions Reform

HR 2382 would repeal the requirement that the U.S. Postal Service pre-pay future retirement health benefits. (Since 2006, the Postal Service has been required to pre-pay these benefits for the next 75 years. The pre-funding is responsible for more than 84% of the Postal Service losses.) It passed 309-106; the Senate took no action.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER YES

LaHOOD YES

 

Protect Benefits

HR 2474, last year’s version of the PRO Act reforming labor law, would have protected the right of workers to organize. Union jobs provide higher wages and benefit, leading to higher Social Security and retirement benefits. The measure passed 224-194; the Senate referred it to committee. (Re-introduced this year; it passed the House and stalled in a Senate committee.)

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD did not vote

 

Medicaid Block Grants

H. Res. 826 expressed the House of Representatives’ disapproval of Trump administration guidance permitting block grants for states that expand Medicaid. “Block grants create insufficient funding, requiring states to cut benefits or reduce eligibility,” ARA says. The resolution passed 223-190.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD NO

 

COVID Relief

HR 6800 was to provide relief due to the COVID pandemic, including funding for testing, nursing homes, state and local governments and vaccine distribution. The bill passed 208-199; the Senate referred it to committee.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD NO

 

Protect Health Care

HR 1425 sought to lower premiums for individuals purchasing health insurance on the exchange portals. The bill passed 234-179; the Senate took no action.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD NO

 

Emergency Housing

HR 7301 was for housing assistance and a one-year eviction moratorium due to the COVID 19 pandemic, helping many seniors remain in their homes. The bill passed 232-180; the Senate took no action.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD NO

 

Cut Health Funding

GOP Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA, tried to amend the budget proposal (HR 7617) for the Department of Health and Human Services to cut funding 5%, affecting the CDC, FDA and public-health agencies. The attempt was defeated 123-292; the Senate referred it to committee. 

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER did not vote

LaHOOD NO

 

Postal Funding

HR 8015 was to adequately fund the U.S. Post Service during the COVID pandemic and ensure the delivery of election-related mail. “Older Americans are the most susceptible to COVID,” ARA says. “Voting by mail ensures that they can exercise their right to vote safely.” The bill passed 257-150; the Senate took no action.

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER NO

LaHOOD NO

 

Higher Stimulus Checks

HR 9051 would have increased the COVID relief stimulus payment from $600 to $2,000. The bill passed 275-134; the Senate took no action. 

BUSTOS YES

KINZINGER YES

LaHOOD NO