Washington, DC – This week AARP launched a series of radio and print ads opposing a Chained CPI Social Security benefit cut, and harmful cuts to Medicare in the latest discussion of our nation’s fiscal issues.  The print and radio ads target members of the House and Senate in 18 states.  The ads follow letters to Congress and the White House, as well as postcards, e-mails and calls to members of Congress opposing a budget deal that would balance the budget on the backs of older Americans.

“Americans have paid into Medicare and Social Security and they’re tired of their hard-earned benefits being used as bargaining chips in another last-minute budget deal,” said AARP Senior Vice President Joyce Rogers.  “They deserve responsible solutions that will strengthen Medicare and Social Security now and for future generations, not harmful cuts that will hurt all of us.”

The states included in this round of ads include California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The script of the radio ads is as follows:

ANNCR: Shutdowns. Showdowns. Ceilings and cliffs.

There are a lot of strange words flying around Washington these days…

So here’s a word for Washington: E-nough…

Enough of the politics and the games…

We need the President and Congress to start working together to get our country back on the right track. And that means leaving Medicare and Social Security out of any last minute budget deal. Seniors are no bargaining chip. We’ve worked hard, paid in, earned our benefits. And we deserve responsible solutions that strengthen Medicare and Social Security now and for future generations.

Millions of seniors are already scratching by on tight budgets. We can’t afford for congress to trade our futures for a short-term fix.

So call Senator / Congressman XXXXXX at [XXX-XXX-XXXX] and tell him to leave your hard earned benefits out of a last-minute budget deal. That’s XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Paid for by AARP.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.

CONTACT:

Tiffany Lundquist, 202-434-2560, tlundquist@aarp.org
Josh Rosenblum, 202-434-2548, jerosenblum@aarp.org