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There have been bills introduced to ease the financial burden on those beneficiaries affected by the “GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET” (GPO) and the “WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION” (WEP). In 1979 Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) introduced a bill to allow retirees to receive $1,200 per month combined Social Security and public pension. Congressman Jefferson reintroduced his GPO HR 664 on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2001 with bipartisan cosponsorship of 110 Representatives. He had close to 300 bipartisan cosponsors before Congress adjourned at the end of the 2002 session. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) reintroduced a companion on March 25,2001 with bipartisan support. On July 25,2001 Rep.McKeon (R-CA) and Rep.Berman (D-CA) introduced a bill HR 2638 that would repeal the GPO and WEP. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced her companion bill S 1523 on October 10,2001 to repeal the GPO/WEP.
The 106 Congress attracted 62 bipartisan cosponsors for Congressman Max Sandlin’s (D-TX) bill to repeal the WEP. He reintroduced his WEP repeal bill H R 848 on March 1,2001. Also in the 106 Congress Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced a bill to reform the WEP by exempting retirees whose combined Social Security and public pension benefits are less than $2,000 a month. The WEP would gradually phase in for those receiving combined benefits between $2,000 and $3,000 per month, while those receiving more than $3,000 per month would still be fully affected by the WEP. That same reform measure was reintroduced as H R 1073 on March 15,2001 with cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. On May 15,2002 Sen.John Kerry (D-MA) introduced S 2521 a companion bill to reform the WEP. This is the first time there has been a bill to reform the WEP in the Senate.
Despite the legislation described in the previous paragraphs, Rep. E. Clay Shaw (R-FL) introduced HIS BILL HR 3497 to amend the GPO on December 13,2001. His bill included legislation designed to reduce the 2/3 offset to 1/3 offset. Congressman Shaw’s proposal with three cosponsors is less appealing than any of the other proposals.
Congressman Shaw introduces a second bill H R 4069 on March 20,2002.
WASHINGTON: Curt Anderson The Associated Press May 15,2002
“Social Security benefits would be increased for about 120,000 widows and divorced women under legislation passed unanimously Tuesday by the House although Democrats say millions more women should be helped” WE who are penalized by the GPO/WEP are NOT INCLUDED in Mr. Shaw’s bill. “On May 14,2002 on MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL AS AMENDED agreed to by Yeas and Nays (2/3s required) 418-0. On May 15th received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance” Cincinnati Enquirer May 15th. Is this Representative Shaw’s idea of Representing ALL of his Retired Constituents in the State of Florida?
The following is the legislative process to enact a new law
or change an existing law. It is not easy to change a law once it is in place.
The steps include:
1) Submission of a new bill in Congress.
2) The bill is assigned a number.
3) The numbered bill is sent to a sub committee.
4) Subcommittee hearings are held followed by a “MARKUP SESSION”.
5) The bill is voted on by the subcommittee and returned to the full
committee for hearings.
6) The bill is voted on by the full committee.
7) The bill is sent to the floor of the House where it is debated.
8) The bill is voted on in the House.
9) The bill is sent to the Senate for a similar legislative process.
If a
new bill passes both the House and the Senate it then goes to the President for
his signature. If however the Senate changes the language of the bill the
House and Senate must work out the difference in conference. Bill must then pass
both Houses and it is then sent to the President for his signature or veto.
At almost any step of this process a new bill can die for lack of political
support.
Rep. Shaw’s actions as Chairman on the Ways and Means of the Subcommittee on Social Security, has been less than enthusiastic in promoting the other more popular bills. There is a Democratic process followed by the members of Congress when introducing a bill. At one point there is a procedure called MARKUP. Our January 2002 newsletter states “Congressman Jefferson along with the signatures of 200 cosponsors sent a letter to Congressman Shaw requesting a “MARKUP” for his bill HR 664. A MARKUP is a formal action by members of Congress to request a vote on pending legislation”. Rep. Jefferson made that request in January 2002 yet nothing was accomplished throughout the entire year. If in October 2002 Rep.Jefferson HR 664 to amend GPO had 297 cosponsors, Rep.Sandlin HR 848 to repeal WEP 149 cosponsors, Rep.Frank HR 1073 to amend WEP 232 cosponsors and Reps. McKeon/Berman HR 2638 to repeal GPO/WEP 179 cosponsors where is our Democratic process that a chairman can withhold the normal passage of a bill when there is no doubt there is a bipartisan interest in passing the bill. How can a chairman hold hostage bills his colleagues have introduced?
As we start another congressional session The 108 Congress we invite all who see this web site and are affected by the GPO/WEP to join us in writing their representatives both in the House and in the Senate. We invite you to join our group receive our newsletter and updated information. The more members we have the stronger the influence in Congress. We have no dues but expect everyone to make a comfortable donation to cover the printing of the newsletter, run off necessary material at the library, purchase stamps for mailings to Congress or other organizations working with us for the same common cause. We receive no compensation and absorb the cost of mileage, office supplies, long distant phone calls, weekly hours to work on this project etc. We suggest even if you are not near retirement we need your help. If you would like to be on our mailing list you may contact us at OFFSET/WINDFALL, 8968 Lyncris Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45242, or at ssoffset@hotmail.com
When you correspond with members of Congress always include frequently throughout your letter our motto so they will keep it and us in mind. “ LEAVE NO SENIOR BEHIND”