Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John James (MI-10) has officially signed his name to a discharge petition being circulated in the U.S. House of Representatives to force a floor vote on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. John James has long fought to strengthen and secure Social Security and Medicare rights for seniors in America. The first bill Rep. James in Congress was the Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act.

Rep. James released the following statement regarding his signing of the discharge petition for the Social Security Fairness Act:

“Our seniors and their Social Security and Medicare benefits are not a bargaining chip for Big Government. The Social Security Fairness Act makes sure that these rights are protected,” James said. “This bill will specifically assist individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government, from losing their Social Security benefits. I’m proud to stand up for our seniors—and will never waver in my support for them.”

The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.

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