Advocacy
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging is committed to staying engaged in, and sharing, the latest public policy news affecting older adults, caregivers and the professionals who care for them. The Washington Update is produced monthly with our partners at Matz, Blancato & Associates to share the latest information about policy issues impacting older adults and their families.
The second session of the 119th Congress is well underway. On February 3rd, Congress passed a funding bill that funds most federal agencies through September 30th while also stopping the brief partial government shutdown. Department of Homeland Security programs, such as FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program, were funded under a two-week Continuing Resolution, but funding lapsed February 14th.
Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Older Workers’ Bureau Act (H.R. 7524), which would create a new office inside the Department of Labor focused on older workers. It would set up a data hub, a technical assistance center, and grant programs to help older Americans find and keep jobs.
The Housing Barriers Study for Elderly and Disabled Persons Act (H.R. 7596) was introduced by Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY) and would require the Government Accountability Office to study the barriers that prevent older adults and people with disabilities from accessing housing they can afford, live in safely, and navigate independently while recommending concrete solutions.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the REAADI for Disasters Act (S. 3628) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the House companion bill (H.R. 7029) on the same day, January 13, 2026. Together these bills would ensure that older adults and people with disabilities are meaningfully included in every stage of disaster planning, response, recovery, and mitigation, and are protected from discrimination based on age or disability during emergencies.
Representative Derek Tran (D-CA) introduced the Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025 (H.R. 6678), which would fund a nationwide network of free legal hotlines in every state to help older adults get advice on issues like housing, benefits, and elder abuse.
The Linking Seniors to Needed Legal Services Act of 2025 (H.R. 6728) was introduced by Representative Eugene Vindman (D-VA) and would give grants to states to connect older adults to free legal services and medical-legal partnerships that help patients deal with legal problems that are directly harming their health and financial security.
Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced H.Res.1002 on January 15, 2026, a resolution recognizing the critical role the Older Americans Act nutrition program plays in fighting hunger, malnutrition, and isolation among seniors across the country.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (MNT) (S.3934). The MNT Act was introduced in the House in 2025. It would expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to MNT, evidence-based nutrition care from Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, to treat obesity, diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition, and other chronic conditions.
On January 14, 2026, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a full committee hearing titled “Made in China, Paid by Seniors: Stopping the Surge of International Scams.” The hearing examined the growing threat of transnational scams targeting older Americans, particularly those run out of overseas criminal organizations. Senators heard testimony on how these scams are draining seniors’ retirement savings and causing serious emotional and financial harm.
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