Here's a tough question to ask your candidate: Do you know how many seniors in your district are affected by the Social Security Notch, and what measures do you support to correct the inequity of benefits received by this group of seniors?

Through your persistent efforts, more than 115 members of the House (one quarter), have cosponsored Notch Reform legislation during the 106th Congress (see chart for list of Notch cosponsors). A total of 7 bills were introduced in the House and one in the Senate, the most since 1994. Not only was there a growth in the number of cosponsors and bills introduced, there are new approaches to solving the Notch problem. In the past, legislation would have provided and improved monthly benefit. Alternate reforms that would provide Lump-sum payments and credits of Medicare premiums have also been introduced as illustrated by the following:

• H.R. 148 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" introduced by Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX). Would provide those born 1917 through 1926 with a choice of improved monthly benefits or Lump-Sum payments totaling $5,000 over a four year period. The legislation would be paid for from spending reductions.

• H.R. 538 "The Social Security Notch Act of 1999" introduced by Representative Bob Clement (D-TN). Would provide improved monthly benefits for those born 1917 through 1921.

• H.R. 568 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" introduced by Representative Robert I. Wexler (D-FL). Would provide those born 1917 through 1926 with a choice of improved monthly benefits or Lump-Sum payments totaling $5,000 over a four year period. The legislation would be paid for out of the budget surplus.

• H.R. 120 "The Notch Baby Act of 1999" introduced by Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO). Would provide a improved monthly benefits for Social Security recipients born 1917 through 1921.

• H.R. 1771 "The Notch Baby Act of 1999" introduced by Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO). Same as H.R.120, except this bill would cover Social Security recipients born 1917 through 1926.

• H.R. 122 "The Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act" introduced by: Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO). Would allow a credit for Medicare premiums paid by Notch babies born 1917 through 1921. It would also eliminate the Medicare Part B premium penalty for late enrollment.

• H.R. 1772 "The Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act" introduced by: Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO). Same as H.R. 122 except this bill covers Social Security recipients born 1917 through 1926.

• S. 390 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" introduced by: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). Would provide those born from 1917 through 1926 over four years with a choice of improved monthly benefits or Lump-Sum payments totaling $5,000 over a four-year period. The legislation would be paid for out of the budget surplus.

Keep the support for Notch Reform growing by sharing in TSCL's efforts to educate others affected by the Notch. We urge you to contact your Members of Congress, especially your Senators, and ask them to take a stand for Notch Reform by co-sponsoring Notch Reform legislation such as "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999".