AFSCME Activism Advances Social Security Fairness Act to House Vote
Historic Progress in Repealing Social Security Cuts for Public Service Workers
Decades of advocacy by AFSCME's active and retired members have brought them closer than ever to repealing the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These laws have long reduced Social Security benefits for public service workers and their spouses. On Thursday, this effort achieved a significant milestone.
The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) has advanced to a vote on the House floor, thanks to a successful discharge petition acquiring 218 signatures. This uncommon legislative maneuver allows the bill to bypass opposition and brings it a step closer to becoming law. However, continued vigilance is necessary to prevent any procedural impediments.
AFSCME President Lee Saunders stated, “We celebrate the progress made on bringing the Social Security Fairness Act to the front of the agenda, and we urge the House and Senate to move quickly and vote to pass this critical, bipartisan legislation. After a lifetime of strengthening our communities, our nation’s public service workers deserve what they sacrificed for – the freedom to retire with dignity.”
This breakthrough follows a prolonged campaign marked by numerous calls, letters, and emails from AFSCME members, reflecting a historic push to rectify what many consider an injustice.
Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) were pivotal in filing the bipartisan discharge petition, marking a significant victory for public service retirees and underscoring the power of collective action.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Lois Carson, president of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE), declared at a press conference, “We paid into Social Security with every paycheck, just like everyone else. But now we're being told that our years of hard work don't count. It’s time to fix this.”
In Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has been an ardent advocate for repealing the GPO and WEP in the Senate. Earlier this year, he organized a field hearing to shed light on the impact these cuts have on public service workers and retirees.
AFSCME's ongoing efforts to dismantle legislative barriers have been relentless. Although challenges remain, this progress exemplifies their unwavering commitment to justice.
The GPO and WEP are seen as outdated and unjust, as they diminish or nullify Social Security benefits for public employees who also receive a public pension. These provisions disproportionately affect those who dedicated their careers to public service, and repealing them is a pressing concern.
With the Social Security Fairness Act advancing in the House, the potential to secure full Social Security benefits for millions of public retirees is closer than ever.