We, the voters, need to hold U.S. Rep. Tom Reed accountable for what he says about important issues which don’t match his votes! In his most recent newsletter, Reed promotes himself as supporting senior citizens, lowering college costs, sexual assault victims, the environment, cancer survivors and education.

The problem is he has voted for bills that would have had a negative effect on all of those topics. He and his colleagues have unfortunately continued the unproductive ways of the last several congresses going back to 2008.

As America ages, issues like retirement security, the declining availability of guaranteed pensions and threats to Social Security and Medicare systems continue. Reed voted to pass fast track trade authority, which extinguishes the ability to scrutinize and amend trade agreements, apparently not learning the lesson of 2013 when he voted for the shut down our government which cost taxpayers $24 billion! The nation and the his constituents deserve better!

John Plumb, Reed’s opponent is so fed up with this dysfunctional Congress that he has decided to run after 20-plus years of serving his country in the U.S. Navy and working on our national security!

Reed and his like-minded colleagues in Congress continue to attack our core retire programs of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as well as the pro-retiree provisions of the affordable care act. He also voted more than once to privatize Medicare and create a voucher-like system. Key positions like the commissioner of Social Security remain without a confirmed nominee in office because his party line obstructionism.

In contrast, while attacks on core retiree programs continue, income inequality grows larger. Proposals to raise the minimum wage have failed in congress thanks to Reed’s party line votes! For more than a decade, the wealthiest Americans have received trillions in tax breaks while older Americans have seen raising drug, health care, food and energy costs.

Reed’s voting record on senior issues doesn’t match his self promoting rhetoric, his lifetime voting record on senior issues is eight out of a score of 100. The Alliance for Retired Americans tracts the voting record on senior issues of every U.S. senator and Congressional representative.

Reed’s records include:

Voting to make it more difficult for workers to obtain disability benefits.

Voted 58 times to repeal health care reform.

Voted against a pro-retiree budget resolution that protects Medicare and Medicaid funding for Social Security disability.

Voted to cut $5.5 trillion from domestic programs important to seniors.

Voted to repeal the federal estate tax a gift to a very few wealthiest Americans!

Voted for Trade Adjustment Assistance and paying for it by cutting $950 million from Medicare.

Voted for Fast Track,

Voted for a repeal of health care which would result in 10 million people losing health insurance.

Voted against a Department of Labor rule, which requires that financial advisers provide advice that is in the best interest of their clients.

Voted for the 2016 spending agreement which lifts sequester levels for two years. He got this one right.

For a full report go to www.retiredamericans.org.

Jim Carr is a resident of Millport, which is in Chemung County.