Hundreds of fire fighters joined police officers on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol for a rally calling on Congress to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) Social Security provisions.
These provisions have reduced Social Security benefits for millions of public servants, including many IAFF members who have worked second jobs to make ends meet.
This Social Security blanket of protection is about making sure that the people that work hard in this country don’t die in poverty. What the government did to us was rob us. They stole from our families. We paid in, paid our Social Security, we are entitled to the benefits, and they said ‘no, not you.’
Edward Kelly,
IAFF General President
Kelly told throngs of fire fighters and police officers, some holding umbrellas against a light drizzle, and most wearing suits in preparation for meetings with lawmakers about the urgency of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).
“As sure as Congress got this wrong 40 years ago, we have friends in Congress on both sides of the aisle that are standing up to right this injustice,” Kelly said. “We need champions in Congress that see this for what it is, that see our families that are getting robbed by their government.”
Joining Kelly on the stage was Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), a cosponsor of H.R. 82.
“We know that pensions today are not keeping up with the cost of living. We know that you deserve your full social security benefit. That is why I am so proud to stand with you in support of the Social Security Fairness Act,” said Budzinski, who worked for the International prior to joining Congress.
The rally marked one of the first times the fire fighters’ and police unions have come together in support of such an important issue.
Among those attending the rally were retirees like Steve Fugate, a retired member of Baltimore Fire Officers Association Local 964.
“I have been working on this issue, unfortunately, for about 40 years because it was while I was serving in the union,” Fugate said. “I didn’t know anything about the WEP and the GPO, but I have learned a lot. I would love to see some positive resolution to it.”
The leaders of both unions relished the opportunity to work together on Social Security fairness.
“We’re not looking for anything more than we have earned, as has every other American. We are the only class of worker in the United States that has this unfair rule put on us,” said Patrick Yoes, president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
The Social Security Fairness Act currently has 307 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and near majority support in the Senate.
Yoes, however, warned fire fighters and police officers getting ready to lobby Congress that all lawmakers will greet them with a smile.
“Don’t just accept that smile, make sure they sign on as cosponsors,” Yoes said.
Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), among the bill’s dozens of cosponsors, said more must be done to push H.R. 82 through Congress.
“We have generated a lot of bipartisan support for this, but to get it passed and to the Senate is going to take a sustained effort,” said Graves. “We need to educate and advocate and get these cosponsors up as high as we can. We need to make sure every member of Congress understands this issue, that this is about stealing your money.”
