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November 14, 2024
WSCFF Members and Retirees,
On behalf of the IAFF and the WSCFF, I’m pleased to share that, thanks to our sustained advocacy efforts, the House has passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 327-75 vote. This significant victory marks a crucial step toward repealing the unjust Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which have long diminished Social Security benefits for fire fighters and other dedicated public servants.
Your leadership and hard work were essential in achieving this milestone. In just two days, our recent VoterVoice campaign generated over 4,000 emails to congressional offices, demonstrating the power and unity of our members. Your efforts to encourage calls and emails have highlighted the strength of our community’s commitment to justice for our retirees. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help drive this over the finish line with such strong support.
Now, as we shift our focus to the Senate, urgency is key. The Senate version, S. 597, led by Senators Sherrod Brown and Susan Collins, presents a path to finally end these inequities. With the 118th Congress drawing to a close, every day that passes without Senate action is another day our retirees face financial challenges due to WEP and GPO. The stakes are high, and continued advocacy from every IAFF member is essential to ensure S. 597 reaches the Senate floor for a vote.
Please take immediate action to contact our Washington State Senators.
Maria Cantwell, D-WA
Paul Quinonez Figueroa, Acting State Director
(206) 220-6400
Patty Murray, D-WA
Shawn Bills, State Director
(206) 553-5545
[email protected]
When Calling feel free to share a sample talking point:
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge Senator [Senator’s Name] to support S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act, and bring it to the Senate floor for a vote before the 118th Congress concludes. The House passed this bill, H.R. 82, with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 325-75 vote, recognizing the urgent need to repeal the unfair Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduce Social Security benefits for retired firefighters, teachers, and other public servants who have served our communities and paid into the system through second jobs.
Our retirees have waited long enough for fair treatment and financial security in retirement. I ask Senator [Senator’s Name] to prioritize this bill, support a floor vote on S. 597, and help ensure that our dedicated public servants receive the benefits they’ve earned. Thank you.”
Members can also use the IAFF Advocacy page, which will send an automated email to the members senators in their states.
Please continue to encourage our members to reach out to CALL and EMAIL their Senators to urge swift action on S. 597. Together, we can ensure this issue remains a priority and that our retirees receive the fair benefits they’ve earned.
Thank you once again for your dedication and leadership. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
Dennis J. Lawson
President |
