MAY 2015 VOICE: Efforts to advance federal legislation reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) continue in earnest. Led by Congressmen Richard Neal (D-MA) and Kevin Brady (R-TX), HR711 has gained traction within the US House of Representatives.

MAY 2015 VOICE: Efforts to advance federal legislation reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) continue in earnest. Led by Congressmen Richard Neal (D-MA) and Kevin Brady (R-TX), HR711 has gained traction within the US House of Representatives.

As previously reported, last year our Association helped bring together a small group of public retiree organizations in states affected by the WEP law. These groups have renewed a grassroots effort and enlisted Neal and Brady as the driving force on Capitol Hill.

“A lot of work remains to be done, but each week we’re seeing measurable progress. There is a serious effort on the part of Congressman Brady to pass HR711 this session. Given his high standing within the Republican Congressional Leadership, this year could be the best chance we’ve had at correcting this awful law,” says Legislative Director Shawn Duhamel. “And we’ve seen the same dogged commitment from Richie Neal that we’ve come to expect. He’s been our point person on these issues for years and we greatly appreciate all he has done on our behalf.”

Reports from Washington in late March indicate that HR711 continues to generate support from an increasing number of House members from both parties. Meanwhile, the various national public employee unions have begun to sign off on the bill.

Duhamel will accompany Association President Frank Valeri to Washington in late April for a series of meetings on Capitol Hill aimed at advancing the bill this session. A detailed report will be included in the July edition of the Voice.

All members are encouraged to contact their local member of Congress and ask that they cosponsor HR711. At this point, the bill is before the US House of Representatives and not the US Senate.

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