This week, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) endorsed new legislation that would make the Social Security program fairer for millions of teachers, police officers, and other public employees. In addition, lawmakers remained in their home states and districts for a week-long holiday recess.
TSCL Endorses Social Security Fairness Act
This week, The Senior Citizens League announced its support for the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 521), which was recently introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) with the bipartisan support of three cosponsors: Senator Susan Collins (ME), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK).
If adopted, the Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) – two Social Security provisions that cut the benefits of millions of teachers, police officers, and other state or local government employees. By repealing these two provisions, the Social Security Fairness Act would ensure that all public servants receive the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve.
In a letter of support, Shannon Benton – Executive Director of The Senior Citizens League – wrote: “According to our research, Social Security benefits have lost 34 percent of their purchasing power since 2000. Those who are impacted by the WEP and the GPO have undoubtedly fallen even further behind. The Senior Citizens League’s supporters believe it is time for Congress to address the inequities that have been created by these unfair provisions, and we believe your bill is the most fair and responsible solution.”
Last month, Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13) introduced this bipartisan bill in the House and it has already won the support of more than one hundred cosponsors in that chamber. In the months ahead, The Senior Citizens League looks forward to working with Representative Davis and Senator Brown to continue building support for the Social Security Fairness Act.
For updates on the bill’s progress in the House and Senate, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website or follow us on Twitter.
Lawmakers Break for Presidents’ Day Recess
This week, House and Senate lawmakers remained in their home states and districts for a week-long holiday recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill on Monday, January 25th. Until then, many Members of Congress will be hosting town hall meetings and attending events in their home states and districts.
The Senior Citizens League encourages its supporters to attend these events and to ask important questions of their elected officials, like the following three…
- New legislation before the House and Senate would repeal the WEP and the GPO so that public servants receive the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve. Will you cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 521, H.R. 141) when you return to Washington on Monday?
- The government negotiates prescription drug prices for veterans and Medicaid beneficiaries, but it is barred from negotiating lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries. As a result, seniors enrolled in Part D often pay much higher prices for their prescription drugs. What are you doing to correct this unfair policy?
- Under current law, the Medicare program excludes coverage of most routine and emergency dental care, leaving around 70 percent of seniors without comprehensive dental insurance coverage. Will you support the Medicare Dental Benefit Act (S. 22) to ensure that seniors have access to essential health care?
For information about town hall meetings near you in the final days of the Presidents’ Day recess, call the local offices of your elected officials. You can find contact information for your Members of Congress right here.
