Breaking news from the U.S. Senate, as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has teed up a vote on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, as early as Monday to once and for all fully repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)! As you know, repealing these unfair penalties that take away earned Social Security benefits from millions of educators, first responders, and other public service workers has been an NEA priority for 40 years. Now, thanks to your incredible advocacy and that of our members, we are on the cusp of history. But we have to close out strong.
Every single senator needs to hear from you and your members right now that they need to vote yes on H.R. 82 next week. (We expect multiple rounds of votes, with the first procedural or cloture vote needing 60 to advance). Senators who are co-sponsors need to hear from you. Senators from fully impacted states need to hear from you. Senators who have not co-sponsored the Social Security Fairness Act need to hear from you.
NEA members have made hundreds of thousands of contacts on GPO-WEP repeal this year. The NEA Board of Directors has lobbied on repeal 3 times this Congress. NEA and our labor and retirement security allies rallied at the rainy Capitol on Wednesday to push the Senate to finish the job, which is when Schumer made the commitment to force the vote.
A reminder that the House passed H.R. 82 by a vote of 327 – 75 in November. This bill has broad bipartisan support and the time to finish the job is now.
Flood the Senate phone lines! We have 3 ways you and your members can call your senators:
The URL: www.nea.org/SSFairness
- the QR Code (on the right)
- dialing 1-844-912-1779
Let’s keep up the pressure until the final vote. We are on the verge of history for our members – current retirees and future retirees. And repealing these penalties will make it easier to recruit and retain future educators too. Help us end 2024 with an incredible win.