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It is ironic that Rep.E.Clay Shaw (R-FL) is the chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, is from Florida, the State with one of the largest number of retirees. The irony is that his position allows him to control what bills will reach the House floor and what bills will never be allowed that DEMOCRACTIC process. Mr.Shaw has thwarted the passage of four bills described below.
On 12-13-01 Mr. Shaw introduced his bill H.R. 3497 with three cosponsors “SECTION 207 GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET REDUCED FROM TWO-THIRDS TO ONE-THIRD OF THE GOVERNMENT PENSION”. Rules to pass a bill suspended. Bill Failed
“On 5-14-02 Mr. Shaw introduced his bill H.R. 4069 at 4:19 pm. Mr. Shaw moved to suspend the rules and passed the bill as amended by 7:03 pm. Bill to improve fairness and eligibility requirements resulting in higher benefits, expanded eligibility for the elderly,disabled widows and divorced spouses, who are among the most likely to live in poverty”. It was no surprise Mr.Shaw excluded the retirees under the “offset/windfall law” many of whom face poverty and do not receive full benefits. We wonder how the retirees in his State of Florida feel? DISCRIMINATED PERHAPS?
THE PORTMAN-CARDIN PLAN
H.R.10 was introduced on March 14,2001 by Congressmen Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) “Private pension plan including 401(k)s-are crucial to retirement security for millions of Americans. Pensions now pay almost $380 billion annually to workers--$63 billion more than retirement and survivor benefits paid from Social Security. Unfortunately only half of all private sector workers have any kind of pension-only 20% of small businesses offer retirement plans”.
UNFORTUNATELY GPO/WEP RETIREE NOT INCLUDED
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Social Security reform. No action will be taken in Congress at least until 2005 because as Grassley says, “this is such a politically hot issues, and people aren’t convinced there’s a problem.” (AARP Bulletin March 2003) Obviously Mr. Grassley has not been paying attention to the millions of retired seniors losing their earned Social Security benefits. A True Leader Faces the Issues and Does Not Wait Until After the 2004 ELECTIONS.
“The chairmen of the 13 subcommittees in the House Appropriations Committee shape the federal government’s 13 major spending bills. They can fund--or kill—pet projects of constituent’s contributors and colleagues. They have so much clout they are called The Cardinals” Cincinnati Enquirer 12-4-02.
Rep. Jefferson introduced GPO bill March 1997, hearing June 2000, ended 2002 with 289 cosponsors.
Rep. Frank introduced WEP bill on September 25, 1979 no hearing, ended 2002 with 232 cosponsors.
Rep. Sandlin introduced bill repeal WEP Nov.13, 1997 no hearing, ended 2002 with 149 cosponsors.
Reps. McKeon/Berman introduced repeal bill July 2001 no hearing, ended year with 189 cosponsors.
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