In a significant victory for NAPO, the discharge petition for H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, reached the needed 218 signatures to force a vote on the bill.
NAPO sought the support of members to contact their legislators about advancing this important legislation and members did their part. With just six signatures left on Sept. 19, NAPO Executive Board Member Peter Andreyev, President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA), spoke at a press conference, calling on all members of Congress to support this bill and sign the discharge petition. The press conference was hosted by H.R. 82 sponsors Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson, NAPO Governmental Affairs Director Andy Edmiston and NJSPBA Vice President and NAPO Sergeant-at-Arms Keith Curry joined Andreyev at the press conference.
“Thank you to all of the Members of Congress who signed it and a big thank you to all our members for your advocacy and efforts which helped us make this happen,” wrote Edmiston in an email to members. “Please join us in thanking your Representatives who supported our effort and signed the petition.”
The Social Security Fairness Act, if enacted, would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces and eliminates Social Security benefits for public service employees, including police officers, firefighters, federal employees and educators.
With the discharge petition closed, there is now a seven legislative day waiting period after which the bill’s sponsors can call it to the floor for a vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson then has two legislative days to schedule the vote.
“Timing will be everything as the House is currently focused on funding the federal government before time runs out on September 30,” wrote Edmiston. “We will keep you updated on the status of the bill.”