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House Vote Possible on WEP/GPO Repeal Bill

On July 15, the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, a bill that would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), surpassed 290 cosponsors, receiving enough support to place the bill on the House Consensus Calendar, teeing it up for a possible floor vote in September. The legislation has bipartisan support, with 206 Democratic and 87 Republican cosponsors.  Thank you to every NARFE member who contacted their Representative in support of this legislation. 

Based on a House rule, legislation that receives 290 or more cosponsors can be placed on the House Consensus Calendar for an eventual vote. However, the legislation must remain on the calendar for 25 legislative days, or days the House is in session, while maintaining 290 or more cosponsors. Furthermore, the bill must not be marked up by its committee of jurisdiction, in this case the Committee on Ways and Means, or else the bill will be taken off the Consensus Calendar. 

On, July 15, the same day H.R. 82 surpassed 290 cosponsors, its sponsor, Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL, presented the House Office of the Clerk with the necessary cosponsors and placed the bill on the Consensus Calendar, beginning the 25-day countdown. This means a vote on H.R. 82 could occur roughly in late September; the House is not in session for the month of August.  

Gathering more than 290 cosponsors and teeing up H.R. 82 for a vote is a significant achievement that required coordination between NARFE’s grassroots advocacy and lobbying efforts. NARFE advocates responded to NARFE’s calls for action, asking their lawmakers to support H.R. 82, while NARFE’s lobbyists worked strategically to build further support. Now, NARFE must work to maintain the necessary 290 cosponsors and build further support where able during the 25- day waiting period. NARFE will also monitor other legislative efforts and potential rule changes that could affect the vote on H.R. 82.