SRES-597-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2610; text: CR S2607)
Sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)
What it does
This resolution officially designates May 2020 as "Older Americans Month." It encourages the United States to provide opportunities for older individuals to continue to flourish. As a Senate resolution, it would express the sense of the Senate but would not create new law, programs, or funding.
Who benefits
Older Americans (generally defined as individuals aged 60 and older, approximately 54 million people) receive symbolic recognition from the federal government. Organizations, advocacy groups, and community programs focused on aging may use the designation to raise public awareness and promote events during May 2020.
Who is hurt
No specific group faces a direct negative effect from this resolution. Because it creates no new mandates, spending, or regulations, there are no identifiable parties who bear costs or burdens as a result of its passage.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that formally recognizing Older Americans Month affirms the contributions and dignity of tens of millions of Americans aged 60 and older. They contend that symbolic recognition by the Senate draws public attention to issues facing older adults — such as social isolation, healthcare access, and economic security — and encourages communities, businesses, and local governments to organize events and programs during May. Supporters also note that the resolution costs taxpayers nothing, imposes no mandates, and reflects a longstanding tradition of honoring this demographic group, which has observed Older Americans Month since President Kennedy first proclaimed it in 1963.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that a non-binding resolution designating an awareness month has no practical effect on the lives of older Americans, as it creates no new programs, allocates no funding, and establishes no enforceable rights or protections. They contend that Senate floor time spent on purely symbolic measures could instead be used to advance substantive legislation addressing the concrete challenges older adults face, such as Social Security solvency, Medicare funding, or elder care workforce shortages. Critics may also argue that the proliferation of awareness month designations dilutes their meaning and gives the appearance of action without delivering any tangible benefit to the population being honored.