Congressional Response: Representative Wally Herger (R-2nd, CA) Responds To Your Notch Reform Petition

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Congressional Response: Representative Wally Herger (R-2nd, CA) Responds To Your Notch Reform Petition

Thank you for expressing your concerns about the notch problem and for your support of H.R. 97. I fully agree that Congress must provide fairness for all Social Security recipients.

I understand your concerns that changes made to the Social Security system in 1977 have negatively impacted Americans born between 1917 and 1926, those often referred to as notch babies. As you may know, H.R. 97, the Notch Fairness Act of 2003, would grant senior citizens born between 1917 and 1926 a $5,000 lump sum Social Security payment. The legislation is currently pending before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Like you, I support a Social Security system fair to all. Additionally, I strongly believe that any changes to Social Security must be fiscally responsible and not endanger the health of the system for current and future generations. Already, it is estimated that Social Security will begin spending more than it takes in within the next 10 to 15 years and that the program will go broke by 2042 if no substantial reforms are undertaken. Given these disturbing facts, it will be difficult to increase benefits -- even to correct the notch situation -- without also enacting cost-saving reforms.

I hope and expect that Congress will have the chance to consider much-needed changes to Social Security, such as those proposed by The Senior Citizens League. Fairness for notch babies must be an important component of any debate regarding Social Security.

Thank you for taking the time to sign The Senior Citizens League's petition. I look forward to your continued correspondence on this very important issue.

Sincerely,
WALLY HERGER
Member of Congress

February 2004