From DC is Justice in Aging’s weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Press Event to Protect HUD Programs and Staff
Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) and other congressional leaders will gather at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Headquarters on Monday, March 3, at a rally to protect HUD programs and staff. Rep. Waters will deliver a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, demanding answers about HUD’s plans to terminate 50% of its staff in accordance with a recent executive order directing agencies to plan for large-scale reductions in force.
HUD administers crucial programs that provide housing and homeless assistance to the lowest-income households, including over two million older adults. The agency also enforces civil rights laws to prevent and remedy housing discrimination.
Mass terminations at HUD – which is already understaffed – would endanger critical programs and lead to more evictions and homelessness across the country.
Advocates can RSVP to the event in D.C. by the end of today, February 28. Organizations can also sign onto a national letter urging Congress to protect HUD. Organizations are encouraged to sign on by March 4.
House’s Approval of Budget Resolution Shows Medicaid Funding at Serious Risk
On Tuesday, House Republicans passed their budget resolution by the narrowest of margins (217-215), with only one Republican joining all Democrats to vote no. The resolution sets a framework for trillions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other programs that millions of older adults depend on daily.
While this vote endorsing at least $880 billion in Medicaid cuts shows how serious the threats are, the resolution is only a blueprint, not a law. The fight is not over.
As the House and Senate try to reconcile their very different budget proposals and the policy specifics start to emerge, we will continue to use every opportunity to advocate for the importance of Medicaid. Justice in Aging joined aging and disability leaders and the Alzheimer’s and dementia community in telling Congress how dangerous these cuts would be.
A new issue brief from the National Partnership for Women and Families and Justice in Aging describes how women, and particularly older women, in every state would be harmed by the proposed $880 billion cut to Medicaid. Older women would face additional harms due to the impact on the direct care workforce. This adds to the evidence that Cutting Medicaid Harms Older Adults No Matter How It’s Sliced.
Report Highlights Harms of Cutting SSA Staff
Amidst news that the Social Security Administration (SSA) may cut 50% of its staff, a new Urban Institute report looks at the challenges facing SSA as staff numbers decline due to inadequate funding and efforts to radically downsize the federal government.
The report highlights how shortages in staff will exacerbate backlogs of pending claims for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), delaying benefits and increasing poverty among older adults and people with disabilities.
Justice in Aging will continue to monitor staff terminations at SSA and other agencies for their impacts on older adults.
Federal Court Blocks DEI Executive Orders
A federal court recently granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily bars the Trump Administration from implementing its executive orders (EOs) on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The EOs direct federal agencies to terminate equity-related grants or contracts; require federal grant or contract awardees to certify that they do not have illegal DEI programs; and direct the Department of Justice to deter DEI programs in the private sector.
Advocates can use this resource from Just Security to track these and other legal challenges to the Trump Administration’s actions. Justice in Aging is also monitoring relevant litigation and will update our network with significant developments.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Statement: House Vote Targets Medicaid for Drastic Cuts (02/26)
- Advocates Guide: 25 Common Nursing Home Problems—& How to Resolve Them (Updated 02/24)
- Fact Sheet: Federal Cuts to Medicaid Will Harm Older Californians on Medi-Cal (02/20)
- Issue Brief: How Medicaid Funding Caps Would Harm Older Adults (02/13)
- Comment Letter: 23 Organizations Advocate for Older Adults and Disabled People of Color to be Represented in California’s Racial Equity Commission Framework (02/13)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging Advance Notice Comments CY 2026 for MA Capitation Rates and Part C and D Payment Policies (02/10)
- Fact Sheet: Work Requirements Would Cut Medicaid for Older Adults (02/04)
- Fact Sheet: March 31 is a Double Deadline for People Eligible for Medicare (01/30)
- Fact Sheet: Medicare Part A Conditional Applications (01/28)
Upcoming Justice in Aging Webinars
- Medi-Cal HCBS: Why Medi-Cal is Critical for Older Adults (03/04)
- Campos et al. v. Kijakazi Settlement Agreement: What SSI Advocates Need to Know (03/11)
Justice in Aging Webinar Recordings
- Reconciliation and the Possibility of $800 Billion in Cuts to Medicaid (02/12) (via Consumer Voice)
- Protecting Medicaid for Older Adults: What’s at Risk & What Advocates Can Do (02/04)
