WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman William J. Jefferson, D-LA, today praised Social Security Subcommittee Chairman E. Clay Shaw's decision to hold a hearing on his government pension (GPO) reform legislation next week, crediting grassroots lobbying efforts that generated 242 co-sponsors for H.R. 1217.

"Our intense, grassroots lobbying effort has generated 242 co-sponsors thus far. I think the success of our efforts convinced Chairman Shaw of the importance of addressing this important reform legislation in the 106th Congress," Jefferson said.

Chairman Shaw has scheduled a hearing on the GPO reform legislation on Tuesday, June 27, at 10 a.m. in Room B-318 Rayburn House Office Building.

Jefferson's legislation (H.R. 1217) exempts the first $1,200 of combined pension income from current pension offset provisions, which now reduce benefits for federal and other government retirees and ravage benefits for widows who are eligible for both civil service pensions and Social Security spousal benefits.

Simply, here's how government pension offset penalizes a public employee or spouse eligible for a $600 government pension and $600 Social Security benefit, or a combined $1,200 monthly benefit. Current law will reduce the Social Security benefit by two-thirds, leaving a combined $800 monthly benefit.

Jefferson's reform legislation repeals the offset provision for any combined retirement benefit totaling $1,200, or less. Offset provisions would continue to apply on Social Security benefits that exceed the $1,200 threshold.

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For more information, contact: Mr. Jean LaPlace at 202/225-6636.