Work on Notch Reform moves into the new year after making significant progress in 2001.  In January 2001 Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) introduced H.R.97-"The Notch Fairness Act"-- which would offer those born from 1917 through 1926 a choice between increased monthly benefits or a lump-sum settlement of $5,000 paid over four years.

As of this writing the bill had 85 co-sponsors, gaining 16 more co-sponsors over the 106th Congress.  Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL) also introduced a similar bill with 21 co-sponsors, and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the Senate counterpart S.825 that has 2 co-sponsors.

In April of last year, "Notch Fairness Act" sponsors Representatives Ralph Hall (D-TX) and Robert Wexler (D-FL), joined by Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) held a press conference calling for Notch Reform to be added to any plan to reform Social Security.  Representative Hall later received a letter from Representative Bill Thomas, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee promising that Notch Reform would receive "due consideration" when Congress took up Social Security reform. 

This is especially important since the Social Security Subcommittee and the Ways and Means Committee must approve all Social Security bills before they reach the full House for a vote.

In early September, we wrote to all of our members asking you to write, call or e-mail Representative Clay Shaw, chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security, and Rep. Matsui--the ranking minority member, and ask them to hold a hearing on Notch reform.  By September 10, over 2,000 TSCL members had responded to our call for action.  Had it not been for the horrible events on September 11, there is every possibility the Subcommittee would have bowed to this grassroots effort and held a hearing on Notch reform. 

Although the September attack temporarily changed our national priorities, Notch Fairness Act sponsor Ralph Hall has promised the issue will be taken up once again this year.

It is through the millions of letters, postcards, petitions, surveys, phone calls, e-mails and other contact with Members of Congress that TSCL members have kept Notch Reform going forward.  Your continued contact with your Members of Congress will help to ensure that as Congress once again takes up matters of Social Security reform, Notch Reform will be near the top of the agenda. 

If you would like to sign our online Notch Petition, click here: http://action.tscl.org/NotchVictimsSettlement.asp.

January 2002