Yarmuth notches perfect score in latest ARA rating

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

The just-released "Alliance for Retired Americans Kentucky Congressional Voting Record" for 2021 is more proof, as it were needed, that elections have consequences.

Make that big-time consequences, especially if you're a senior citizen like me.

The ARA scored Rep. John Yarmuth 100 percent "pro-retiree." That was an A+ when I was in school.   

Yarmuth, who is retiring after this term, is Kentucky's only Democrat on Capitol Hill. The seven Republicans -- Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Reps. Andy Barr, James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie and Hal Rogers -- all flunked with what would have been F- grades in my schooldays. 

The ARA regularly rates senators and representatives on how they vote on legislation "of critical importance to retirees." In compiling the record for 2021, the group chose 10 bills in each chamber it considered particular significance to seniors who are retired. 

"Comer, Guthrie, Massie and Barr each got a zero," said Kirk Gillenwaters, a UAW retiree and president of the Kentucky ARA chapter. "Rogers got a 10." 

Paul, who is up for reelection in November, also earned a zero. McConnell received a 10.

The ARA also awards "lifetime" scores, meaning how lawmakers have voted since coming to Washington. "Yarmuth also scored 100 lifetime," Gillenwaters said. 

McConnell's a 10 lifetime; Paul's a 12. Barr's a 6, Comer and Guthrie are 8's. Massie is a 16 and Rogers, 10.   

"Seniors and retirees who vote for these Republicans are voting against their own self-interest," Gillenwaters said. "These individuals have never supported older Americans and retirees on the issues that affect us the most on a daily basis.

"We need to support elected officials who support us."