RECAP OF 2021 CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY AMAC Action met, either virtually or in-person, with 57 Congressional offices In Washington, D.C. throughout 2021 to address the following issues: • Facilitate introductions to AMAC and AMAC Action for freshmen members of the 117th Congress • Generate co-sponsors for H.R. 1829, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Accountability Study Act as requested by the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Diana Harshbarger, TN-01 • Present AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee and Social Security Plus proposals • Work to introduce the HEALTH Act • Gain insight on legislation under consideration for AMAC’s support or opposition AMAC Action also continued its meetings with the House Ways and Means Committee’s Social Security Subcommittee, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus , the House Republican Whip’s Office , and the Republican Study Committee . AMAC-SUPPORTED BILLS H.R. 1799, the PPP Extension Act, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The bill extends the Payroll Protection Program to ensure more small businesses take advantage of the program. This bill is of particular importance to America’s seniors as they are one of the largest groups of small business owners and will be responsible for putting Americans back to work as the economic recovery continues. H.R. 1448, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five- year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. H.R. 5142, the Congressional Gold Medal Bill, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This bill posthumously provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of the 13 service - members who died on August 26, 2021, while protecting men, women, and children during the evacuation of citizens of the United States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. H.R. 2922, the Elder Abuse Prevention Act, was passed by the House of Representatives and was introduced in the Senate. This bill codifies a Trump Administration initiative that requires the Justice Department to designate an elder justice coordinator to oversee law enforcement efforts. The coordinator also would evaluate training models for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, emergency responders, medical and mental health professionals, and others working with seniors on how to: • Conduct investigations of elder abuse cases • Address legal issues • Work with victims and witnesses of elder abuse in administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings H.R. 2062, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, was passed by the House of Representatives and was introduced in the Senate. This bill revises the evidentiary standard for age discrimination by establishing an unlawful employment practice when the complaining party demonstrates that age or participation in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation related to an age discrimination claim was a motivating factor for an adverse practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice (thereby allowing what are commonly known as mixed motive claims).
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