Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding H.R. 97, The Notch Fairness Act of 2003.  It was good to hear your opinion on this issue.

I know how strongly you and many others feel about the discrepancy in Social Security benefits.  As you know, the so-called "notch" was created in 1977 when it was found that a formula error was made that caused benefits to be much higher for those born before 1917.  H.R. 97, The Notch Fairness Act, is a proposal to give senior citizens who were born between the years 1917 and 1926 a $5,000 lump sum Social Security payment.  The House Committee on Ways and Means is currently considering this important legislation and I am watching its progress.  Please be assured, should H.R. 97 come to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote, I will keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for writing about this very important issue.  Please be sure to visit our website at www.boozman.house.gov where you can sign-up for e-mail updates on important issues; find information on constituent services; read columns and press releases; all of which affect and concern the people of Arkansas.  I look forward to your continued correspondence.

Sincerely,

John Boozman
Member of Congress

January 2004