|
||||||||
TSCL Members and Supporters Tell Congress `We Can-t Afford a Social Security Agreement With Mexico!`
Members of Congress are hearing an outcry from constituents outraged by a Social Security Totalization treaty with Mexico that�s working its way through the ratification process. One of the ways in which TSCL has been fighting the controversial pact has been urging seniors to contact their Members of Congress about this agreement that could add millions of Mexicans, including some who worked here illegally, to the Social Security rolls. TSCL recently announced support for a resolution rejecting the agreement � H. Res. 720, which was introduced by Representative Mac Collins (GA), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee. TSCL Chairman George A. Smith wrote in a letter to Representative Collins, ��this new agreement with Mexico may allow workers from that country to collect Social Security based on work performed while residing illegally in the United States. TSCL is concerned that this could place the Social Security Trust Fund in jeopardy since, according to Government Accountability Office (GAO) officials, the cost of a Mexican totalization agreement is largely unknown, and granting credit for illegal work could add to that cost.� Chairman Smith also noted, �Illegal immigration from Mexico into the U.S. appears to have significantly increased in the past six months, possibly in anticipation of the agreement, and could potentially increase the cost even further. Allowing work that was performed illegally to be included in �totaling� (for calculation of benefits) is akin to rewarding illegal activity.� When announcing the resolution, Congressman Collins emphasized that, �With benefits projected to overtake receipts in 2018 and with the (Social Security) trust fund projected to be insolvent in 2042, now is not the time to be entering [into] agreements with uncertain costs that would draw on the dollars that law-abiding American workers have paid into Social Security�. Legislative Alert: TSCL is monitoring the progress of this agreement. The State Department and White House first review such agreements. After White House approval and submission to Congress, the House has 60 session days in which to reject the agreement by adopting the Collins resolution. This is the ONLY way the treaty can be stopped. Please help stop this agreement with Mexico. Contact your Member of Congress to ask for his or her support of H. Res. 720. Sources: �Collins Introduces House Resolution Calling On U.S. to Reject Social Security Agreement with Mexico, Representative Mac Collins, July 15, 2004. �Social Security: Proposed Totalization Agreement With Mexico Presents Unique Challenges, Barbara D. Bovbjerg, General Accountability Office, September 11, 2003. September 2004 | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
