A resolution designating May 2026 as "Older Americans Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 749
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2452; text: CR S2446)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-02T20:39:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. Res. 749
Purpose
This resolution designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month" to recognize the contributions and needs of individuals aged 65 and older in the United States. It builds on a tradition started by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, originally called "Senior Citizens Month," to highlight the growing population of older adults and promote their independence and well-being.
Key Provisions
- Acknowledges historical and current statistics on older Americans, including population growth from about 17.8 million in 1963 to over 64.6 million in 2025 (18.9% of the total population), with roughly 11,467 people turning 65 each day.
- Notes the role of federal programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in providing financial security and health care.
- Highlights the Older Americans Act of 1965, which supports services like nutrition, transportation, and care management for over 14 million older individuals annually through Area Agencies on Aging.
- Recognizes older adults' ongoing workforce participation (over 7 million full-time workers in 2025), volunteer efforts (including more than 143,000 in AmeriCorps Seniors programs), and roles in mentoring, civic engagement, and community activities.
- Encourages the public to:
- Emphasize the importance and leadership of older individuals through public recognition.
- Create opportunities for older individuals to share wisdom and skills with younger generations.
- View older individuals as valuable assets in strengthening communities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution introduces no changes to existing law. It is a non-binding Senate resolution focused on public awareness and does not amend statutes or allocate new funding.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: It may prompt agencies involved in aging services, such as those administering the Older Americans Act, to highlight related programs during May 2026, though no new obligations are created.
- On citizens: It could increase public awareness and community events supporting older adults, potentially fostering greater social connections and volunteer opportunities.
- On international relations: No direct impacts, as the resolution is domestic in scope.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Older Americans aged 65 and above, including veterans (over 8 million in 2025).
- Federal and local agencies responsible for aging services and health programs.
- Community organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging and AmeriCorps Seniors.
- Families and younger generations who interact with or support older individuals.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
This resolution has minimal legal or constitutional implications, as it is symbolic and does not create enforceable rights or obligations. Politically, it reflects bipartisan support for recognizing older adults' roles in society, with no noted controversies or enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2452; text: CR S2446)
- 2026-05-21: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2452; text: CR S2446)
Bill Versions
- Designating May 2026 as Older Americans Month. — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (4 pages)