How TSCL is Working For You

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How TSCL is Working For You

New Members of Congress Learn About the Notch
Several new Members of Congress and their staffs had an opportunity to learn more about the Notch and TSCL’s legislative agenda recently. In January, TSCL hosted a working lunch to help New Members learn about Notch Reform legislation, how senior COLAs are failing to keep up with health care costs and other key issues of concern to seniors.

One new Congressman who represents some 2,616 TSCL members and was familiar with the Notch asked how much H.R. 97, “The Notch Fairness Act,” would cost. After hearing the figures and having time to digest the issue further, he observed that, while the estimated cost was not inexpensive, the issue is “a matter of fairness.”

The working lunch broke some new ground in a positive way. The concern shown by those attending and their knowledge of senior issues make TSCL feel we have identified new friends in Washington who we can count on to vote the right way, for seniors!

Notch Fairness Press Conference
Several Members of Congress recently joined Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) and TSCL at a press conference to call upon President Bush and Congress to remedy the long-standing Notch problem. TSCL Chairman George Smith introduced the new landmark study on the Notch by noted economist John Haldi. The study found that Congress should reconsider the Notch issue.

Congressman Hall announced the introduction of H. R. 97 “The Notch Fairness Act“. Said Congressman Hall, in a prepared written statement, “This issue is extremely sensitive and timely, considering the advanced age of the ‘Notch Babies. With the rising costs of medication and healthcare for senior citizens, it is imperative that we act on this now to correct this injustice. The reality of this problem is that if we delay action, many will never receive just compensation for the sacrifices they made to help save Social Security in the late 1970s. With the support of Congress, and with the help and support of senior citizens groups like TREA Senior Citizens League, we can hopefully correct the Notch problem and compensate seniors who have patiently waited for too long to receive what is rightfully theirs.”

Congressman Hall was joined by:

Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL), who last session introduced a very similar version of the Notch Fairness Act. Congressman Wexler is throwing his support behind Representative Hall’s bill this year and stated that it was “unconscionable to say we can’t afford Notch Reform.”
Representative Mike McIntyre (D-NC), whose father is both a Notch baby and a World War II vet, said that “Congress needs to do the right thing and pass The Notch Fairness Act.”
Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA), who said that he is asked about the Notch frequently by his constituents and hoped that the Haldi study will change the attitudes of some Members of Congress.
Representative Walter Jones (R-NC), who said that, far too often, seniors across the country are not appreciated, as they should be. “Passing The Notch Fairness Act is a moral obligation of our government.”

Editor’s note: TSCL staff are continually working with Members of Congress and their staff on a variety of issues that supporters like you are concerned about. Your member dues and contributions help pay for this important work, which is just one part of TSCL’s overall strategy for keeping the issues that concern older Americans in front of our Members of Congress, the media and the government officials who matter.

To learn more about the findings of Dr. John Haldi’s report on the Notch see “New Report finds Notch ‘Unduly Harsh’” at http://www.tscl.org/NewContent/101776.asp.

May 2003