FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 19, 2024
CONTACT: Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org
On Thursday, Dec. 19, Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Texas AFT Retiree Plus Chair Rita Runnels issued the following statements following the U.S. Senate’s 73-27 vote to proceed toward a final vote on the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82). The bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which reduce and sometimes eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of workers, including millions of Texas public school employees.
Capo said: “Finally. The passage of the Social Security Fairness Act will right a long-standing wrong done to the very people who work every day on behalf of our public good, whether that’s teachers or support staff in our public schools or firefighters protecting our communities. For decades, AFT members have lobbied Congress for a fix to these harmful provisions that have left our retired educators scraping to get by in the years they should spend celebrating a life well lived. If you pay into Social Security, those benefits should be yours in full. Period.
I am grateful that bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress have now worked together to ease the burden on our families, for once and for all. In a time of political division, may we take inspiration from this moment when both sides of the aisle have worked together to prioritize the needs of the many.”
Runnels said: “Last month, the U.S. House’s overwhelming passage of the Social Security Fairness Act marked a historic victory for educators, school staff, and public servants across Texas and the nation — one that would not have been possible without many years of tireless advocacy by retired educators and union members. Now, it is time for the Senate to finish the job.
I’m so proud of our Texas AFT Retiree Plus members who have never stopped fighting for this crucial reform. Their dedication and persistence prove that grassroots advocacy can overcome even the toughest political obstacles. For far too long, the WEP and GPO provisions have unfairly penalized dedicated public employees who have spent their careers serving our communities, forcing many to face financial hardship in retirement despite years of contributions. I am deeply grateful to the bipartisan coalition of representatives and senators who have stood up for fairness and voted to end these unjust penalties. The strong 327-75 vote in the House sent a clear message that supporting our public servants transcends party lines.
Yesterday’s cloture vote in the Senate is another important step toward the swift passage of this crucial legislation. Our educators and school employees have earned their full Social Security benefits through their service and contributions — it’s time to deliver on that promise.”
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The Texas American Federation of Teachers represents 66,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.8-million-member American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.