Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) recently held a telephone town hall on Social Security and Medicare, taking numerous questions from her constituents.

“Since Social Security and then Medicare were signed into law 79 years ago, millions of Americans have relied on these crucial programs to live their lives with dignity,” Duckworth said. “Millions more who paid into the system are counting on Medicare to one day provide them with quality health care, and Social Security to provide them with retirement income."

Duckworth was first elected to Congress in 2012. She has served as a leader in protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare.

“Unfortunately, in recent years, some in Congress proposed ending the guaranteed benefit of Medicare and cutting Social Security to reduce our deficit," Duckworth said. "These same members of Congress are the ones who refer to Social Security and Medicare as entitlements. But that’s simply not accurate. These are programs that Americans have paid into and earned.”

Duckworth's office also held a Senior Resources Fair and has aided 8th Congressional District residents in solving Social Security and Medicare issues, resulting in thousands of dollars in benefits.

Before being elected to Congress, Duckworth served as assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and was director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.