The rain was no match today in Washington, D.C., as leaders from America’s largest labor unions united to send a clear message to the U.S. Senate: It’s time to call a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly led the rally and was the first of more than a dozen speakers who called on the Senate to act.
“I don’t mind standing out here in the rain knowing that those that came before us that did so much for our country, whether they were teaching our children, fighting our fires, policing our streets, or delivering our mail – whatever it took to make this country run – those people were screwed by the United States Congress, and this Congress has an obligation to fix that,” said Kelly. “It’s time for our leaders in the senate to bring this to the floor, call for a vote, and let’s see who’s who — who’s with the middle class, and who isn’t.”
It’s time for our leaders in the senate to bring this to the floor, call for a vote, and let’s see who’s who — who’s with the middle class, and who isn’t.
general president edward kelly
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also attended the event. He made a major announcement when he stepped up to the podium to address the crowd.
“I’m here to tell you all today – we are going to call a vote on repealing WEP and GPO,” he said. “What’s happening to you is unfair, un-American, and I will fight it all the way.”
Principal officers from America’s largest labor unions – including President Randi Weingarten (AFT), National President Patrick Yoes (FOP), President Brian Renfroe (NALC), International President Matt Biggs (IFPTE), President Everette Kelly (AFGE), President William Shackelford (NARFE) all delivered remarks to attendees. Vice Presidents Margaret Cook (CWA) and Princess Moss (NEA) also spoke in support of repealing WEP/GPO, as did AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Richmond, and multiple executive directors and other union leaders.
I’m here to tell you all today – we are going to call a vote on repealing WEP and GPO. What’s happening to you is unfair, un-American, and I will fight it all the way.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Multiple members of the House and Senate joined the event, braving the conditions to show their support for repealing the unfair penalties on public servants.
Speakers included Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jack Reed (D-RI). Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Garrett Graves (R-LA) – the lead sponsors of H.R. 82 in the House – also delivered remarks, as did Reps. Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Pete Stauber (R-MN).
“When I got to Congress, I said I am committed to making sure that we repeal the WEP and GPO, and that every person who devoted their life to service gets the benefits they earned for their service, which should be there for them in retirement,” said Spanberger. “Across the country, workers who devoted themselves to service and paid into a system see their earned benefits taken away because of an accounting gimmick that Congress enacted decades ago.”
Today’s event displayed the widespread support repealing WEP and GPO has among the Congress. Both Republicans and Democrats came to the podium to stress the inherent unfairness these provisions have on retirees, calling on the Senate to finally right this more than 40-year-old wrong.
“This is absolutely unacceptable, and despite the odds – the fact that no one has been able to get this bill to a vote before the U.S. House of Representatives – because of what you did, we have actually gotten this bill through the House with an overwhelming bipartisan vote,” said Graves. “This is what people sacrificed their lives hundreds of years ago for – this democracy, for this process, where people can come, influence, and be represented. That’s exactly what’s happening today.”
This is absolutely unacceptable, and despite the odds – the fact that no one has been able to get this bill to a vote before the U.S. House of Representatives – because of what you did, we have actually gotten this bill through the House with an overwhelming bipartisan vote.
Garrett Graves (R-LA)
More than 2 million retired public service workers are impacted by the WEP and GPO, with many seeing more than a $500 reduction in their benefits each month. If the Social Security Fairness Act is not passed this Congress, the Congressional Budget Office expects another $195 billion in Social Security benefits to be withheld from retirees over the next 10 years.
“Schumer stood here and promised a vote because you are here demanding they vote,” Warren said. “Without the fire fighters, without the teachers, without the nurses, without every government employee who fights for them, we’d be nowhere.”
This is the closest Congress has ever come to repealing these two discriminatory provisions in Social Security since their enactment in 1983. But the fight isn’t over.
The IAFF is asking all members to turn up the pressure and make sure Senators know where fire fighters stand on repealing WEP/GPO.
You can tell your Senators to vote for the Social Security Fairness Act by visiting the IAFF Advocacy Center or by calling (202) 224-3121.
