Baton Rouge Reporter

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves, along with 100 Members of Congress, has formally requested that the House Ways and Means Committee hold a hearing on H.R. 82 – the Social Security Fairness Act. This legislation, introduced by Graves, aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) social security penalties. With nearly 300 champions and being the 3rd most cosponsored bill of the current congressional session, the momentum for reforming these penalties is strong.

Graves emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue, stating, "This penalty has been an issue for four decades, and we are in the strongest position yet to secure a fix. A hearing is an important step in ultimately getting this legislation moving and problem solved."

In a letter to the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, supporters of H.R. 82 – The Social Security Fairness Act, express their request for a hearing on the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset (WEP/GPO). They believe that with the growing bipartisan support for a solution, the Committee should seize this opportunity to hear directly from those affected by these policies.

The letter highlights the long-standing unfairness faced by millions of public servants affected by WEP and GPO, who have seen their retirement benefits reduced. As the costs of living continue to rise, these individuals, particularly teachers, first responders, and state employees, are struggling to make ends meet. The WEP and GPO penalties exacerbate these challenges, making it even more difficult for them to rely on their Social Security benefits.

A bipartisan coalition of 298 members of the House of Representatives have expressed their support for H.R. 82 by cosponsoring the bill. This legislation aims to fully repeal both WEP and GPO, providing direct relief to 3% of all Social Security beneficiaries. The supporters of H.R. 82 believe that it is the best solution to address these penalties and are committed to working with Committee leadership to find a fair path forward.

The coalition urges Committee leadership to capitalize on the current momentum and take the first step towards bringing a fair legislative solution to the floor through regular order.

The request for a congressional hearing on WEP/GPO penalty reform is an important step towards addressing the long-standing issue of reduced retirement benefits for public servants. With a growing bipartisan support for H.R. 82 – the Social Security Fairness Act, it is crucial to hear directly from those affected by these policies. The aim is to provide relief to millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet on fixed incomes. The supporters of H.R. 82 believe that this legislation offers the best solution to fully repeal both WEP and GPO and bring much-needed relief to Social Security beneficiaries.

To find out more, go to this link: https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/graves-calls-congressional-hearing-wepgpo-penalty-reform