July 6, 2007 (Washington, DC): House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has called for a hearing on H.R.82, the foremost legislation, supported by the Association, that repeals Social Security’s WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) laws. Chairman Rangel did so in a letter just sent to the Social Security Subcommittee and its chairman, Congressman Michael McNulty, who is also from New York, representing the Albany area. The chairman’s letter had been issued after he met with the leading Democratic sponsor of H.R.82, California Congressman Howard Berman. (The leading Republican sponsor is another Californian, Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon.)

Currently, H.R.82 has the support of 322 cosponsors or approximately 75% of the House of Representatives, including the entire Mass delegation. On the Senate side, there is a companion repeal bill, S.206, sponsored by Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), which has 32 cosponsors, including Senators Kennedy and Kerry who chairs the Senate Social Security Subcommittee. S.206 is pending in Sen. Kerry’s subcommittee.

“As our members know, we have asked Senator Kerry to hold a hearing in his subcommittee on S.206,” comments Association President Ralph White. “Our members can also contact their congressmen and urge them to follow the lead of Chairman Rangel, calling upon their fellow Congressman Mike McNulty to schedule a hearing in his subcommittee on H.R.82.”