- New Action Alert: Email Your Texas Senators now!
Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), time is running out for the U.S. Senate to take a vote to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)!
On December 11, during a Social Security Fairness Rally held in Washington, Senator Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate will take a vote on repeal of the WEP and GPO before they adjourn for the year.
TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee attended the event, broadcasting live from his phone in cold, rainy conditions. The video is available here.
Retired and active public servants from Texas, Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York, Washington D.C., and other states in came together and yelled “Call the Vote!”
“Today was about the thousands of people who have lost or will lose their already earned and paid for Social Security benefits,” said TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee. “I came out to D.C. for our members and future members. TRTA’s leaders and volunteers have advocated to end these egregious provisions for decades. I’m out here for my wife who is a teacher and will be hit by both WEP and GPO if we don’t stop the arbitrary theft of Social Security benefits from the people who serve our country, communities, schools, children, and parents!”
The event could not be stopped by the driving rain, and in fact, the weather further galvanized the group attending the rally, as well as the elected officials who came out to speak to the assembled crowd.
Powerful comments by Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Congressman Garret Graves fueled the crowd to chant, “Vote Now!” As TRTA members will remember, it was Spanberger and Graves that led Congress to an overwhelming majority vote in support of the passage of H.R. 82 by the House of Representatives, the first vote of its kind on WEP and GPO in 40 years.
According to an article by Government Executive, Senate Majority Leader Schumer said, “I’m here to tell you that the Senate is going to take action on the Social Security Fairness Act . . . you’re going to find out which senators are with you, and which are against you. Schumer added, “what’s happening to you is unfair, it’s un-American and I will fight it all the way.”
Members, let’s keep up this powerful momentum and continue pushing for this important vote!
New Email to Send to Your Texas Senators!
Our members have sent thousands of emails to Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Use our quick and easy Action Alert system to send it this new email today!
Contact U.S. Senators Who Have Not Signed on as a Co-sponsor to the Senate Bill!
Members, below is a list of the U.S. Senators who have not yet signed on to support the bill repealing WEP and GPO. When you click on the link featuring the Senator’s name, you will find, if available, links to their Facebook and Twitter/X accounts.
Please share this message on their social media accounts! You may copy and paste the message.
- I am asking Sen. NAME to please sign on to S. 597 and to support repeal of the WEP and GPO! Public service retirees NEED your help to put an end to these egregious provisions that take away our earned Social Security benefits!
Please Thank Sen. Majority Leader Schumer for His Support!
Call (202) 224-6542 and ask to speak to the staff member who works on Social Security issues. Here is a short script you may use:
- Hello, I am a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). I am calling to thank Sen. Majority Leader Schumer for standing with retired public servants.
- Please, Senator Schumer, do not back down! Please add a vote on repeal of the WEP and GPO to the Senate agenda, as soon as possible!
- Thank you for your support!
Contacting Influential Senators
Please also contact the following U.S. Senators! Ask to speak to the staff member who works on Social Security issues.
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D,IL) (202) 224-2152
- Sen. Mike Crapo (R, ID) (202) 224-6142
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R, IA) (202) 224-3744
- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R, KY) (202) 224-2541
Here is a short script you may use. Be sure to modify the Senator’s name for the office you are calling:
- Hello, I am a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). I am asking Sen. NAME to please encourage Majority Leader Schumer to add repeal of the WEP and GPO to the Senate agenda before the end of this cycle.
- We NEED the Senator’s help to bring this bill forward for a vote as soon as possible!
- Thank you for your support!
Please note, if you get a voicemail box when calling a Senate office, we ask that you please leave a message, as Senate offices are now being flooded with calls.
¡Gracias!
If you want TRTA to be able to continue our work, please support us today and renew your membership dues! This is how we can deploy resources when needed at urgent times such as these. If you are not a member, please join today! It may be the best $35 you spend every year to protect and improve your livelihood and income as we fight for your retirement security!
