TSCL continues to work with Members of Congress to pass "The Notch Fairness Act," legislation which would provide Notch Babies born 1917 through 1926 with a settlement of ,000 or a choice of higher monthly benefits. What you can do: Urge your Members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass "The Notch Fairness Act," H.R. 1001 and S. 118! To learn more about the status of Notch legislation, give us a call 1-800-333-8725. .Thus the new formula went into effect almost immediately for most people and is one reason why retirees born over the ten-year period of 1917 through 1926 were affected, not only those covered by the five-year phase-in. In addition, the economy did not perform the way Congress and the Social Security Administration assumed it would under the new benefit formula. Slower than anticipated wage growth, and higher than expected price inflation, resulted in even greater benefit reductions than under original assumptions. These economic conditions persisted for a decade, thus affecting those born over a ten-year period. .What We Know and What We are Still Learning .On Tuesday – despite projections that showed large gains for Democrats on Capitol Hill – lawmakers on the right swept elections across the country. For the first time in eight years, Republicans will control the House, the Senate, and the White House when the 115th Congress begins in January. Senator Roy Blunt (MO), who narrowly held on to his Senate seat on Tuesday, told reporters: "A Republican president and a Republican Senate and a Republican House can do things to change this country." .Finally, in May, TSCL hosted a "Welcome Reception" on Capitol Hill for all Members of the 113th Congress and their aides. The event offered TSCL's Board of Trustees, legislative team, and staff the opportunity to speak with lawmakers about the issues that matter most to seniors. In total, more than 125 Members of Congress and/or staff were in attendance, and many of them expressed their support for key bills, making the event a great success. .In 2005 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report documenting the growth of the ESF saying a number of factors contribute to the earnings reports, particularly minimal work site immigration enforcement(16) efforts. The GAO also reported that the percentage of foreign-born persons receiving reinstatements has grown dramatically over time from about 8% in 1986 to nearly 21% in 200The country of birth of foreign-born receiving the greatest number reinstatements is Mexico. .Back in February, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas temporarily halted President Obama's immigration orders that would have delayed the deportation of nearly 5 million illegal immigrants. The Obama administration promptly appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans. .Recent vaccines targeting more limited populations, such as a meningitis B vaccine for college students and the shingles vaccine for older adults, have a retail cost of 0 to 0 for a full course. .Calculate the annual COLA using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). TSCL studies indicate that using the CPI-E would provide a very modestly - higher COLA in most years.