Congressional Corner from Representative Martin Frost: How I Am Fighting for Those Who Serve Our Communities

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Congressional Corner from Representative Martin Frost: How I Am Fighting for Those Who Serve Our Communities

By Congressman Martin Frost (D-TX)

Since I was first elected to Congress 25 years ago, I have sought to lessen financial burdens for those individuals who have served our communities for so long. Over the last few years, I have engaged in a tireless effort to repeal two Social Security provisions that have kept public employees from earning what they deserve. First is the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which essentially says that if you work for a state or local government, and you are not covered by Social Security, then you cannot collect your spouse’s or widow’s/widower’s full Social Security benefits. Second is the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces a person’s Social Security benefits if they worked in one job that was covered by Social Security and another job that was not covered.

Both of these provisions specifically target the pockets of public employees such as teachers, police officers and firefighters. GPO and WEP were originally instituted to repair perceived inequities in the distribution of Social Security benefits, but today they are burdensome for those who work in government jobs. Frankly, it is counterproductive to reduce benefits to individuals who tirelessly serve their community, and I fear that as a result of these provisions, people will be less inclined to work at a government job in the future. At a time when our country is focusing on improving education and national security, it makes little sense to discourage people from entering into the teaching or law enforcement profession.

This past March, efforts to change the GPO and WEP provisions were dealt a major blow when H.R. 743 passed in the House of Representatives. A harmful provision within the text of the bill, which I fought hard to eliminate, states that someone must work the last five years in a job covered by Social Security in order to receive their spouse’s benefits. I offered an amendment to strike that section of the bill, but the amendment failed. I was one of a handful of Representatives who opposed the bill because of the unfair provision, but unfortunately it passed in the House by a vote of 402 to 19.

Since 1999, I have co-sponsored many bills that would have eliminated or lessened the impact of GPO and WEP. Unfortunately, none of these bills ever became law because they were held up in committee. Currently, in an impressive act of bipartisan support, 290 House Members have co-sponsored H.R. 594, which would repeal both the GPO and the WEP. In February, this bill was referred to House Ways and Means Committee and has not seen any action. Fearing that the legislation could be held up again, I and five other Texas Democrats filed a discharge petition. If 218 Representatives sign the petition, the bill will leave committee and go to the House floor to be voted on. I am hopeful that H.R. 594 will reach the House floor and finally see these unfair provisions removed.

I pledge to continue fighting for the elimination of the GPO and the WEP, and encourage all of you to join me. As long as we stand together, I have no doubt that we can change these unreasonable laws. Please rest assured I will continue to work for public employees and stand up for the rights of those who are affected by these provisions.

June 2004