October 1, 2024 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: As a Cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act, Chavez-DeRemer Helps Force Vote on Legislation to Protect Public Service Retirement Accounts
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), a longtime cosponsor of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), has signed a rarely-used discharge petition to force House leaders to hold a floor vote on the measure. Led by Reps. Garret Graves (LA-06) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), the bill would protect Social Security benefits for Americans who have dedicated their careers to public service by eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions unfairly reduce or eliminate earned benefits for teachers, police officers, firefighters, and government employees.
“Retired teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants have been unfairly treated in our Social Security system for too long through the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. These hardworking men and women shouldn’t be punished for taking another job after retiring from public service. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation and will always fight to protect Oregonians’ Social Security benefits,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
Chavez-DeRemer made it clear at the beginning of her term that she opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare and has consistently worked to support these critical programs. The two bipartisan appropriations bills that were signed into law for fiscal year 2024 contained a $100 million increase for the Social Security Administration to improve operations for seniors, full funding – $4.1 billion – for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and full funding for the Senior Community Service Employment for Older Americans Program.
When the U.S. was on the brink of a debt default last year, Chavez-DeRemer helped lead the Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act. It would have ensured Medicare and Social Security payments were made in full even if a federal debt limit had not been reached. However, the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law to avert the debt crisis. It will save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next six years without cutting critical programs like Social Security and Medicare.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
