Railroad Retirement Update from the UTU Website

Subject: Railroad Retirement Update for Website

Date:  March 14, 2001

To: All Concerned

From: James M. Brunkenhoefer

We have been working for the last several months to once again lay the groundwork for the Railroad Retirement & Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001's passage into law.  Because of the November election and other events, we have many new Committee chairmen and staff members as well as a new Administration at the White House.  Just as in the last session, all of the Democratic leadership has signed on board.

The Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are also totally supportive.  The White House has yet to give a firm indication of its position.  In order to advance our position, we ask that you initiate two actions.

The first is in regards to the House Ways and Means Committee. After your successful work in contacting Representative Thomas and asking him to be an original cosponsor of Railroad Retirement & Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001, Chairman Thomas legitimately wants to know whether the other Members of his party on the Ways and Means Committee consider this legislation a priority.  We now need for you to contact the other Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee.  Chairman Thomas needs to hear that the other Members of the Committee support the bill so please call them and ask them to let him know that they support and consider this legislation a priority.  Included is the necessary information to communicate with their offices.

Second, we also need you to contact your own Representative and ask that they commit to being an original cosponsor of this legislation when introduced probably next week. If your Representative is a Democrat, ask them to contact Rachel Carr at 202-225-3274. If your Representative is a Republican, they should contact Justin Harclerode (until 3/19) or Fraser Verruseio (after 3/19) at 202-225-9446 to sign on the legislation.  It is very important that these contacts begin immediately and continue until you are called on for our next action.  Much of this is groundwork so that the supporters in Washington know that their constituents at home support this legislation. Some in Washington are unaware of how passionate their constituents are about this legislation.  Don't forget though that we will not obtain a victory only based on the passion of our argument.  If we are to win, it has to be through the power of your efforts. 

The legislation that will be introduced will be the exact same bill that was cosponsored by 306 Representatives during the last session of Congress and was supported by 391 Representatives when it was voted on the House floor on September 7.  In most cases you will be asking your Representative to do exactly the same thing that they did last year. 

Please act immediately and encourage as many others as possible to act.  If it is inconvenient to contact their office by phone during their working hours, you can fax and email them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You have proven in the past, how effective you can be.  Please keep it up.