Pass the Social Security Fairness Act now. The United States Senate has a rare opportunity to correct a decades long failure to retired Americans by passing the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA). This piece of legislation would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — two provisions that unfairly penalize retirees who worked in both the public and private sectors during their careers. By passing the SSFA, the Senate can increase the financial stability of millions of retirees and ensure that hard-working Americans receive the benefits they have earned. Current provisions reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a government pension from a job not covered by Social Security. This affects millions of retirees, including teachers, educational paraprofessionals, school bus drivers, firefighters, and police officers. On average, these individuals lose $7,600, around $600/month, annually in Social Security benefits. This amount could mean the difference between financial security and hardships. No retiree should be penalized for working in the public sector while also contributing to the Social Security system. Americans who have paid into Social Security, through payroll taxes, deserve to receive the full benefits they have earned! Repealing these provisions will ensure fairness for all retirees. The time for action is now. The Senate must pass this bipartisan legislation.
- Kenneth Henning, Clayton City Council Member
As a registered nurse, I am writing to express my deep concern about the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, has no qualifications for leading national health programs and has a well-documented history of spreading misinformation about and opposition to lifesaving vaccines. He has pledged to stop funding research for treatments and cures for deadly diseases. His opposition to vaccines could lead to a resurgence of childhood illnesses like polio and measles. Mr. Kennedy has said that “there is no vaccine that is safe or effective.” He helped fuel a deadly measles outbreak in American Samoa that killed 83 people. His appointment to the position of HHS Secretary would be a dangerous step backward for public health. I implore Senator-Elect Moreno to prioritize the health and safety of all Americans and vote against this nomination.
- Carol Roe, JD, MSN, RN, Miamisburg