Coalition’s Push to Reform Social Security Law Continues
NOVEMBER 2000 - As the 106th Congress winds down to year’s end, we must look to next year for enactment of relief from Social Security’s two principal attacks on certain, not all, public retirees - the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). In prior issues of the Voice, we’ve explained how the GPO and WEP work and unfortunately those members, affected by either or both of these laws, know all too well their effects.
While a victory can only be claimed when relief measures are finally enacted, there were positive developments this year, which give cause to optimism in 2001. First, well over a majority of congressmen - 253 at press time - signed onto the GPO relief bill (HR 1217). Secondly the first ever hearing on the GPO and WEP was held by the Social Security Subcommittee and attended by a number of congressmen, not on the subcommittee.
According to Washington sources, such attendance is uncommon and reflects growing congressional interest in the issues. Also, the Subcommittee Chairman E. Clay Shaw (R-Ft. Lauderdale) has expressed confidence in moving forward with some type of reform next year.
"With the November elections, there’s obviously uncertainty as the future makeup of the Congress when it begins its 107th session in 2001," comments Legislative Chairman Bill Hill. "We won’t know exactly who will be chairing and sitting on the important committees, like the Social Security Subcommittee, until next year."
Once the Congress gets underway next year, the Coalition to Assure Retirement Equity (CARE), to which the Association belongs, will continue its push and plan its strategy for the 107th Session. We anticipate that the initial focus will again be on GPO relief and then reforming the WEP.