Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (DE-SOWN-YAY) proudly represents California’s 11th Congressional District, which includes the majority of Contra Costa County. For more than 30 years in public service and as a small business owner, Mark has been a leader for working families. During his time in U.S. House, most of which Republicans were in charge, Mark passed more than 60 legislative efforts. He is an effective legislator who knows how to get things done.
Mark is one of only a few Members of Congress to serve on four committees. He currently sits on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Education and Labor, where he serves as Chairman of Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and the Committee on Oversight and Reform. He also is a Member of the House Committee on Rules, where he has the opportunity to weigh in on major pieces of legislation before they are brought to the House Floor and where he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee. Mark is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Social Security and Medicare represent our promise to seniors of a secure retirement, and Congressman DeSaulnier is committed to protecting these programs. As all 73 million baby boomers approach retirement age by 2030, he is focused on making sure we provide every retiree with the financial security they deserve. Congressman DeSaulnier has been a strong advocate for the protection of safety net programs throughout his time in government service and continues to be a champion for seniors in Congress.
By the Numbers
44 million Americans are covered by Medicare.
9 million disabled Americans rely on Medicare to live healthy lives.
Nearly nine out of ten individuals age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits.
Social Security benefits represent about 33% of the income of elderly Americans.
Things to Know
Opposed Republican efforts to make cuts to the Medicare program
Hosts open forums to discuss ways Congress can protect and expand Social Security benefits
Supports legislation to provide all Americans with Medicare coverage
Sponsors legislation to ensure Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental care
Working for You
Making Social Security Work for You
In order to ensure that the benefits owed to seniors are enough to cover basic living expenses, Congressman DeSaulnier is a strong supporter of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 141), which increases benefits across the board and sets a reasonable standard for future cost-of-living adjustments. This bill also eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two unfair provisions that punish Americans who have devoted much or all of their careers to public service.
Working to Keep Prescription Drug Costs Affordable
To help control prescription drug costs in Medicare, Congressman DeSaulnier supported the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), which establishes a fair price negotiation program, protects the Medicare program from excessive price increases, and establishes an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare part D enrollees.
Supports Expanding Medicare
The United States currently spends nearly 18% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care costs. Every other industrialized country in the world has some form of universal, single-payer health system. Each system is different, but countries have adopted models that works best for their citizens. Congressman DeSaulnier believes that we should follow the example set in Contra Costa at the national level to enable all people to have comprehensive, affordable care. To work toward that goal, he supports the Medicare for All Act (H.R. 1384).