WASHINGTON, DC – The Social Security Fairness Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, has advanced in the Senate and requires a final 60-plus vote before it’ll nix the government pension offset (GPO) and windfall elimination (WEP) provision reducing Social Security benefits for some public employees and spouses.
The U.S. Senate advanced the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R.82/S.597) with a vote of 73-27. It already passed the U.S. House in November with a vote of 327-75-1.
Reed says repealing these harmful provisions is critical in ensuring career public servants are able to retire with dignity and financial security they have earned.
“For thousands of hardworking Rhode Islanders, the Social Security Fairness Act makes sure that their years of dedicated service to our nation, state, or community and their contributions to Social Security result in them receiving the benefits they deserve. It has taken decades for this bill to pass through congress and this accomplishment would not have been possible without the effort and advocacy of millions of teachers, postal workers, firefighters, police officers, and other proud civil servants who made their voices heard,” said Senator Reed. “I will continue fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security for all the hardworking Rhode Islanders and Americans who have dutifully paid into and earned their benefits,” Reed said.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the WEP and GPO provisions have limited Social Security payouts for approximately 2.8 million Americans.
The Social Security Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7) and Garret Graves (R-LA-6) and in the Senate by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Reed is one of 62 cosponsors of the bill.
Now that the bill has cleared its first major hurdle on the “motion to proceed” it must still be debated before it can get another vote on final passage, which will also require overcoming a 60-plus vote threshold. The Senate has two more days to act in order to get the bill to the President’s desk before the holiday recess.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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