[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1519-H1520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    OPPOSITION TO SECTION 418 IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION ACT

  (Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition today to the 
provision of section 418 within H.R. 743, which would have closed a so-
called ``loophole'' relating to the government pension offset. Since 
this provision was

[[Page H1520]]

not removed from the measure, I am forced to oppose this entirely.
  The government pension offset unfairly reduces the retirement 
benefits of public employees, our teachers who have dedicated their 
lives to serving their communities and our children. Many of those 
impacted expect to receive the Social Security benefits their spouses 
earned and often remain unaware of the offsets until they reach 
retirement age. Educators are shocked to learn that their decision to 
enter the education profession, often at a considerable financial 
sacrifice, has caused them to also lose the benefits that they had 
counted on. The resulting loss of income forces some into poverty and 
desperation.
  I ask that we vote ``no'' on H.R. 743.

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