AFSCME applauds House vote to repeal GPO-WEP, urges Senate action

House Moves to Repeal GPO and WEP, AFSCME Urges Senate Action

In a significant legislative move, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to dismantle the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), regulations that have long affected the Social Security benefits of public service workers and their spouses. The vote, which took place on Tuesday, saw a strong majority of 327-75 in favor of the repeal through the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).

AFSCME President Lee Saunders expressed strong support for the House's decision, stating, “AFSCME applauds the House of Representatives for voting to repeal GPO-WEP, which unfairly robs some public service workers and their families of their Social Security benefits simply because they have a pension.” He emphasized that public service workers, who dedicate their lives to societal betterment, deserve full access to their retirement benefits.

The GPO and WEP have been criticized for reducing or entirely cutting Social Security benefits for those receiving a public pension, a situation AFSCME contends is unjust for individuals who have served the public for years. The organization has long advocated for the abolition of these provisions.

The campaign to eliminate GPO and WEP has seen considerable grassroots support. AFSCME members, particularly retirees, made over 1,000 calls within a day to support H.R. 82. This activism was complemented by the AFL-CIO, which encouraged union members to reach out to their representatives. The legislation has been championed by Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy. Despite decades of similar proposals, H.R. 82 is the first to secure a House vote.

In a statement regarding the Senate's version of the bill, AFSCME pointed out, “The GPO and WEP cuts truly harm public pensioners and their spouses who paid thousands of dollars into Social Security over decades.” The current provisions deny these retirees their full benefits because they also receive a public pension.

The bill's progress now hinges on the Senate's response. AFSCME urges individuals to contact their senators to advocate for repealing these provisions before the year's end. For those wishing to take action, more information is available at the GPO and WEP Action Center.