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House Republicans are reaching out to AARP in the hopes of arranging a meeting to discuss the impact of energy costs on older Americans. In a letter sent to AARP CEO William Novelli on Thursday, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) state they want a meeting to discuss the Republican “all of the above” energy plan. The overture comes after Boehner and Blunt were among the 41 House Republican lawmakers who voted against overriding a presidential veto on recent Medicare legislation. AARP aggressively lobbied for the passage of the measure, commonly referred to as the Medicare physician fix bill. Both lawmakers also voted against the bill before it reached the president’s desk.AARP did help Republicans pass the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill, but rallied against the GOP plan to reform Social Security in 2005. More recently, AARP and House Republican leaders have been at odds on the pending State Children’s Health Insurance Program legislation. Now, Republicans want AARP on their side on gas prices, and they are seizing on recent polls showing that Americans are more open to drilling in the United States than they were a couple of years ago.
“The escalating price of energy disproportionately impacts our nation’s seniors many of whom live on limited fixed incomes,” said Blunt spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier. “Since AARP is the largest seniors group in the United States, it makes sense for us to reach out to them to explain how House Republicans are working to bring down the price of energy.” The GOP letter states, “According to a June 25 Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, more than two-thirds of Americans age 65 believe the recent rise in gas prices has caused them or their families a great deal or fair amount of financial hardship.” It added that seniors who don’t drive but rely on programs such as Meals on Wheels are also suffering. “Congress needs to act immediately to help lower gas prices for all Americans, particularly our seniors,” according to the letter. Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, said, "The rising cost of gas is a serious issue for all Americans, but it is particularly painful for older Americans living on a fixed income." "We want to work with everyone we can to increase the supply of American energy and help bring down skyrocketing prices at the pump," he added. Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) also signed the letter. Unlike Boehner and Blunt, he voted for the Medicare bill and to override the president's veto. A spokeswoman for the AARP could not be reached for comment.
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