(2024-11-15) This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. The vote passed the House 327 to 75. This bill repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) and allows retired persons to receive their full Social Security benefits instead of being penalized because they receive a government pension.
The following Republican Tennessee Congressmen and Congresswoman voted AGAINST the bill:
Rep. Tim Burchett (R)
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R)
Rep. Andy Ogles (R)
Rep. John Rose (R)
Republican Rep. David Kustoff (R) did not cast a vote.
To learn more about this bill, go to: https://www.iaff.org/.../house-passes-social-security.../
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. S.597 (the bill number for the same act in the Senate) is still pending.
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has signed on as a co-sponsor, but Republican Senator Bill Haggerty has yet to sign on.
The Senate version of this bill, led by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), presents a path to finally end these inequities.
With the 118th Congress drawing to a close, every day that passes without Senate action is another day retirees face financial challenges due to the WEP and GPO. Help ensure S.597 reaches the Senate floor for a vote.
You can help in two ways:
1. Call the state directors for our two Senators and ask for support on this bill:
Nick Kistenmacher, State Director for Senator Blackburn, (901) 527-9199
Michael Sullivan, State Director for Senator Haggerty, (615) 736-5129
What should you say? "Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge [Senator's Name] to support S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act and bring it to the Senate floor for a vote before the 118th Congress concludes. The House passed this bill, H.R. 82, with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 325-75 vote, recognizing the urgent need to repeal the unfair Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduce Social Security benefits for retired firefighters, teachers, and other public servants who have served our communities and paid into the system through second jobs.
These retirees have waited long enough for fair treatment and financial security in their retirement. I ask [Senator's Name] to prioritize this bill, support a floor vote on S. 597, and help ensure that our dedicated public servants receive the benefits they’ve earned. Thank you."
2. Click the link to send an email to the Senators:
https://www.iaff.org/advocacy-center/
We ask that you CALL and EMAIL our Senators to encourage them to do their part to bring this important legislation to the floor for a vote and ask them to vote in favor of the bill. Together, we can ensure this issue remains a priority and that retirees receive the fair benefits they have worked for and earned.
