"Even if our work this year does not produce the WEP and GPO relief that we've been fighting for, we have laid a solid foundation for next year," comments Legislative Chairman Bill Hill. "And we don't intend to stop trying before December 31."

To that end, Association Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel has been attending strategy meetings of the Coalition to Assure Retirement Equity (CARE). Held at the Washington headquarters of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), the CARE meetings are attended by representatives from several national unions and organizations whose members also want to see the eventual repeal of the WEP and GPO.

"With only limited time remaining, coupled with cost considerations, the coalition decided to focus on one bill - S611, the GPO relief bill filed by Maryland's Senator Barbara Milkulski," reports Duhamel. A recent analysis by the Social Security Administration places the cost of a total repeal of both the GPO and WEP at $3.4 billion in 2003, while the cost of implementing S611, which exempts the first $1,200 of monthly pension allowance and SS benefits from the GPO, is $600 million - a more manageable sum in today's economy.

"To coordinate the effort, each group agreed to take on specific tasks. Since both Senators Kennedy and Kerry are already supporting S611, we turned our attention to our out-of -state members, first those in Vermont where Senator Jeffords' support has been deemed crucial."

Based upon calls to the Association, our members in Vermont are responding. "Believe me, I didn't hesitate to write Senator Jeffords," said Frank Hyman of Rutland, a Mass. D.P.W. retiree. "Something must be done now, not later."

We not only reached out to Vermont, but then our Maine members. According to Duhamel, "It's apparent from the coalition meetings that a Republican senator, spearheading S611's passage along with Democratic Senator Milkulski, could only enhance the bill's prospects. Since Senators Snowe and Collins both cosponsored the bill and are also Republican, we asked our Maine members to urge their senators to do what they could."

Not surprisingly, our Maine members have responded, like their brethren in Vermont, and contacted their senators. "We know our members will act when called upon and we are always thankful for that," states Hill.

In addition to our coalition activities, the Association continues its own efforts on these issues. That includes our work with Congressman Barney Frank and his staff. Rep. Frank's WEP relief bill (HR 1073), as well as his strong statements against this unfair federal law, have been well chronicled in past Voice issues.

"Of course we would prefer to see the GPO and WEP eliminated altogether. However, in the current political climate, a partial repeal of the WEP may be the only viable approach for now," comments Duhamel. "With that in mind, Representative Frank's bill is a good first step."
Over the past months, the main stumbling block has been the House Social Security Subcommittee and its chairman, Florida Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Ft Lauderdale). "When we met with our members in the Ft Lauderdale area, earlier this year, we asked them to contact Rep. Shaw and they did," reports Hill.

"And according to his staff, Rep. Frank has also contacted Chairman Shaw to get his bill out of the committee. But so far Rep. Shaw has been unwilling to separate the issue from a more comprehensive Social Security package. Unless more pressure is applied, we may have to wait until next year and a new Congress."