Support the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013
Legislative Committee
Greater Seattle Area Local
Whereas, Social Security, the backbone of income for a large portion of retired or disabled Americans, is under assault by right-wing politicians who advocate austerity for the poor and middle classes, and
Whereas, politicians from both major political parties have made attempts to reduce Social Security benefits as an accounting ploy to reduce federal budget deficits, even though Social Security is self-supporting, and has only been included as part of the federal budget since the Reagan Administration, and
Whereas, the Strengthening Social Security Act (SSSA) of 2013 was introduced as SB 567 by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, and as HR 3118 by Representative Linda Sanchez in the U.S. House, and
Whereas, the SSSA would increase Social Security benefits by an average of $65 per month or $800 per year, and
Whereas, the SSSA would require the use of the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) as a better gauge to determine Social Security’s cost-of-living increases, and
Whereas, the SSSA would strengthen Social Security’s finances and pay for benefit increases by “scrapping the cap” by which earnings over $113,700 per year are exempt from paying contributions, meaning the richer you are, the smaller your percentage of contributions, therefore be it
Resolved, that this body of the APWU goes on record in support of the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013, and further be it
Resolved, that the APWU support rallies, lobbying, or other campaigns in support of passage of this bill into law.