AARP Brings Your Fight to Capitol Hill
We pressed hundreds of lawmakers to protect Social Security from cuts, support family caregivers and safeguard older adults from fraud
By Miriam Cross, AARP - Published April 16, 2026
Volunteers and staff from across the country join AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan for AARP's annual Lobby Day.
Cheriss May for AARP
Key takeaways
AARP staff and volunteers from across the country met with lawmakers to urge action on issues affecting people 50-plus.
Lobby Day focused on protecting Social Security, supporting family caregivers and fighting fraud.
Personal stories from volunteers helped lawmakers see the real impact on older adults.
When AARP wants to call attention to issues that affect older adults, we make our efforts visible — literally.
Pops of the signature AARP red were everywhere on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, from the red shirts worn by volunteers and staff to the tote bags stuffed with brochures on issues important to older Americans. Our annual Lobby Day is an opportunity for AARP staffers and volunteers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to descend on Capitol Hill and advocate for the needs of people 50-plus.
“Lobby Day is about making sure what we hear every day from our members is part of the conversations that lead to action,” says AARP’s CEO, Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan. “When policymakers and leaders hear directly from the people living these experiences, it changes the conversation.”
This year, more than 150 staff and volunteers participated in nearly 400 meetings on Capitol Hill that were split between Democrats and Republicans. We urged lawmakers to protect Social Security, help safeguard older adults from fraud and boost support for family caregivers.
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Since AARP’s inception in 1958, our organization has lobbied for legislation and policies to improve the lives of Americans as they age. Over the years, AARP’s efforts have contributed to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, the passage of the Older Americans Act, the protection of Social Security from privatization and more.
“We do meetings all year long with our members of Congress, but it’s important to have one day to show the power of AARP and our millions of members,” says Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president for government affairs. “The visibility is an important reminder of our advocacy.”
Dennis Hohengasser, 76, the volunteer president for AARP Massachusetts, shuttled between 11 meetings alongside AARP Massachusetts state director Jen Benson. Hohengasser spent 33 years working in state government. On his list of topics to discuss on Lobby Day was the importance of outlawing cryptocurrency ATMs and passing a tax credit for caregivers in Massachusetts. He bought a red tie for the occasion.
Although he hasn’t been a caregiver himself, Hohengasser has witnessed the emotional toll it takes on his sister as she looks after her husband, who has dementia. Hohengasser was inspired to volunteer with AARP 12 years ago, after he had money stolen in a tech support scam; he paid criminals $100 to load a piece of software onto his computer and fix a problem he didn’t have. “I got out of it cheap,” he says.
Lobby Day is also an opportunity for AARP to highlight our state and local events and resources, like free tax help and Community Challenge grants. “It helps lawmakers understand the breadth of what we do and allows us to have deeper conversations on difficult issues,” says Chris Widelo, state director of AARP New Jersey.
Fighting fraud with both sides of the aisle
Michael Wagler high-fived an AARP colleague as he left the office of Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA).
“He’s a close partner on a number of fraud issues,” says Wagler, the state director of AARP Iowa. Nunn introduced the GUARD Act last year, a bill that would direct federal grant money toward local law enforcement for the tools and training they need to fight fraud, and has been “its champion in his district and across D.C.,” Wagler says. Nunn also cosponsors the Credit for Caring Act, which would let family caregivers offset some costs on their taxes.
Strengthening relationships like these are crucial in a midterm election year, considering people 50-plus are the most reliable bloc of voters. In Iowa, the stakes are especially high, as several members of Congress are running for different offices, including a House member who is vying for governor. Wagler crisscrossed the Hill in 90-degree heat on Wednesday with volunteer state president Larry Kudej to meet with the six members of Congress (or their staff) who represent Iowa.
