[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 69 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E957-E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       NOTCH FAIRNESS ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 1999

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to talk about fairness. I am 
here to talk about an injustice done to over 11 million senior 
citizens, who were born between the years 1917 and 1926. I am here to 
talk about the Notch Fairness Act of 1999, legislation which I have 
filed to correct a grievous wrong done to citizens known as Notch 
Babies.
  These are the individuals who lived through the depression, served 
our country during World War II and Korea, and are the real architects 
of the vibrant nation we are today.
  Unfortunately, an amendment to the Social Security Act in 1977 
dramatically and unjustly rendered less Social Security benefits of 
this segment of our population. Although it was intended to help 
bolster the Social Security Trust Fund by re-computing the benefit 
formula for present and future beneficiaries, the amendment 
inadvertently paved the way for consequences which severely and 
negatively impacted Notch Babies. The new formula, along with 
unforeseen economic conditions in the late seventies, resulted in lower 
benefits for all members in the ``Notch'' group. On average, Notch 
Babies suffered significantly, receiving $1,000 less a year in Social 
Security benefits than those who came before and after them.
  With Notch Babies now in their mid-to-late seventies and early 
eighties, it is more important than ever that we move quickly to 
compensate them for the economic hardships they continue to endure. 
Fortunately, conditions are right for us to act. With a current budget 
surplus of $70 billion, a predicted surplus of $107 billion for Fiscal 
Year 2000, and further surpluses expected for the next fifteen years, 
we have a tremendous economic opportunity to correct the injustices 
Notch Babies have been forced to bear to this day.
  My legislation would provide Notch Babies with a one-time $5,000 lump 
sum settlement

[[Page E958]]

or an equivalent increase in benefits in future years. In an age when 
COLA disbursements are at an all-time low and the costs of prescription 
drugs are rising exponentially, Notch Babies would greatly benefit from 
these additional funds, to which they are rightfully entitled.
  It is never too late to right wrongs committed in the past. This is 
the right time to pass the Notch Fairness Act of 1999 to make sure that 
Notch Babies receive the money they are legitimately due.

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