Rep. Angie Craig Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Social Security
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped lead a bipartisan coalition to pass the Social Security Fairness Act through the House of Representatives.
The bipartisan bill would repeal two decades-long provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for millions of Americans – including police officers, firefighters, teachers and federal employees.
More than two million Americans and 16,000 Minnesotans currently face reduced Social Security benefits because of these provisions. The Social Security Fairness Act would ensure they receive their full benefits.
“This bill is an opportunity to put more money into the pockets of the teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency responders and public servants who keep our communities running. I was proud to join Republicans and Democrats in passing the Social Security Fairness Act today and urge the Senate to do the same,” said Rep. Craig.
The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) of the 1935 Social Security Act.
The WEP lowers the monthly benefits of millions of retirees who paid into Social Security, but also earned a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. The GPO reduces or eliminates the spousal benefits of those who have earned a government pension, even if their spouse paid into Social Security for their entire careers.
Rep. Craig is a cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act and recently signed a discharge petition forcing a vote on the House floor. The bill has strong support from labor and law enforcement groups including: the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Education Association, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the National Association of Letter Carriers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Teachers.
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