(Washington, D.C.) Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers received the highest honors from one of America’s largest seniors’ groups.

The 60 Plus Association awarded McMorris Rodgers the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award for her work in protecting Social Security. “We must protect social security benefits for our current retirees and near retirees,” McMorris Rodgers said. “Social Security must be put on a path toward fiscal sustainability so it can withstand economic and demographic changes. Any reform should adhere to the following criteria: benefits for retirees or near-retirees must not be changed, we must dedicate the entire surplus to Social Security, and Social Security payroll taxes should not be increased.

McMorris Rodgers also received the Benjamin Franklin Award for supporting the repeal of the death tax. McMorris Rodgers has cosponsored legislation to repeal the tax. “The estate tax hurts future generations of Eastern Washington families,” McMorris Rodgers said. “Repealing the death tax will help farmers and small businesses in Eastern Washington. The death tax costs thousands of jobs each year. By repealing this unnecessary tax, jobs will be created and many small business owners will be able to add workers to their payrolls.”

In addition to working to protect Social Security and repeal the death tax, McMorris Rodgers recently voted to improve Medicare coverage for Eastern Washington seniors and prevent a drastic cut to Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians.

Contacts:
Destry Henderson
202-225-2006
202-279-0418