Advocate Online

From Capitol to Campus

NEA members across the nation have joined in the Nationwide Call to Action to repeal social security offsets, sending thousands of e-mails to Congress, holding rallies, writing letters to the editor, and meeting face-to-face with members of Congress.

Help spread the word and build momentum toward repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Suggested Activities:

• Ask your governor to write a letter to Congress and your state legislature to pass a resolution calling on Congress to repeal the GPO and WEP.
• Visit lawmakers in their district offices with a group of public employees.
• Organize a rally to send a clear message about the unfair GPO and WEP.
• Host a town hall meeting with a wide cross section of public employees.
• Organize a call-in day. Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representative and senators by name.
• Deliver postcards to members of Congress in their local offices.
• Go to www.nea.org/lac/ socsec/offsets.html and send an e-mail message to Congress.
• Submit a letter to the editor or an op-ed to your local newspaper.
• Reach out to police, firefighters, and other impacted groups in your area to form a coalition.

Congress is expected to adjourn in October so that senators and representatives can go home to campaign. This is a great time to make personal contact with them to ensure they know the impact of the GPO and WEP policies.

Vote in November for candidates who support repeal and pledge to push for immediate action on the Social Security Fairness Act in the 110th Congress.

See complete cosponsor lists for both the House and Senate bills on the NEA legislative action Web site.