Seniors

Protecting Social Security, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring older Americans are treated with dignity are among my top priorities in Congress. I am committed to standing up for seniors across the Hudson Valley and making sure they have access to the services and support they have earned.

Protecting Access to Social Security

When the Social Security Administration announced plans to close its Office of Hearing Operations in White Plains, I fought to ensure Hudson Valley seniors would continue to have access to the services they rely on. 

• I have opposed any cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

• I championed the Social Security Fairness Act as a proud cosponsor, legislation that repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) and ensures the program treats all retirees fairly, strengthening its long-term stability. This bill was signed into law in January 2025.

• I partnered with Congressman George Latimer to urge the Social Security Administration to reverse its decision to close the White Plains Office of Hearing Operations.

• I publicly opposed the closure of the White Plains hearing office.

• I urged the Social Security Administration to designate the West Nyack Social Security office as the region's hearing office.

• After advocating directly with the agency, I successfully secured the relocation of hearing operations to West Nyack, preserving local access for beneficiaries.

• I also joined my colleagues in raising concerns about proposals that could reduce Social Security customer service through office closures, changes to phone services, and staffing reductions.

Protecting Older Americans

I introduced the Protecting Older Americans Act (H.R. 5115) to ensure older Americans who experience age discrimination are not forced into private arbitration. Everyone deserves the right to seek justice in court, and my legislation protects that right while increasing accountability for employers who discriminate based on age.

Expanding Housing Opportunities

I introduced the Improving Housing Access Act (H.R. 7596) to help address the shortage of affordable, accessible housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities. This legislation, which is advancing as part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, directs the Government Accountability Office to identify ways to strengthen federal supportive housing programs and remove barriers that prevent seniors from accessing safe, affordable housing. Supporting the accessibility of housing options and alternatives that meet the needs of Hudson Valley seniors will always be at the top of my priority list. 

Protecting Seniors from Financial Fraud

I voted in favor of and helped pass the Senior Security Act of 2025 (H.R. 1469), bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for older Americans and combat financial exploitation of seniors. The bill creates a dedicated SEC task force on senior investors to better identify fraud, improve oversight, and strengthen coordination among federal and state regulators. It also requires a GAO study to assess the scope of senior financial exploitation and recommend additional protections.

Lowering Taxes for Seniors

I voted to provide meaningful, long-overdue tax relief for America’s seniors through the Working Families Tax Cuts, which are now delivering real financial security for millions of older Americans.

For decades, retirees who spent a lifetime paying into Social Security were still forced to pay income taxes on the benefits they earned. This law changed that by delivering a new $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors age 65 and older ($12,000 for married seniors), on top of the standard deduction and existing senior benefits. It represents the largest tax relief package for seniors in American history and builds on earlier tax reforms that strengthened relief for working families and retirees alike.

As this policy has taken effect, tens of millions of seniors have benefited, with many seeing substantial reductions in their tax burden and greater financial stability in retirement. The overwhelming majority of taxpayers received a tax cut, and the benefits have been especially meaningful for middle-class and working Americans.

Seniors who worked hard, paid into the system, and built this country deserve to keep more of what they earned. By reducing the tax burden on Social Security and retirement income, this law helps ensure greater dignity and financial freedom in retirement.

I will continue working to protect and strengthen these reforms so that seniors in the Hudson Valley and across the country can retire with the security and respect they deserve.