RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD FUNDING IN JEOPARDY

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- E-mails and telephone calls to members of Congress ensured passage of Railroad Retirement reform. Now the agency that administers the law and makes benefit payments is in danger because Congress is threatening to slash funding for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $97.7-million budget for the RRB, which says it needs at least $101 million for the upcoming fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The RRB already slashed its budget request from $105 million, but said anything less than $101 million for the next fiscal year could hamper its effectiveness. More specifically, the RRB could be forced to lay off employees and reduce the level of customer service that provides information to retirees and those soon to retire.

The RRB's Labor Member could be forced to scale back assistance at union meetings, Regional Meetings, information conferences and union-officer training sessions. Some field offices could be eliminated.

Once again, involvement is being sought. E-mail or telephone your congressional delegation and ask them to support full funding for the RRB for fiscal 2003, which begins Oct. 1.

The entire Senate will soon vote on its appropriations committee's recommendation. In the House, the subcommittee that makes a recommendation on RRB funding has not yet acted. Both chambers of Congress will reach a consensus decision on the board's budget when they return after Labor Day.

It is important to contact your congressional delegation as well as members of the House appropriations subcommittee and urge them to recommend at least $101 million for the RRB. Members of that subcommittee and their phone numbers are shown below (for more information, use the "Contacting Congress" section of our website).

House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Ralph Regula, Ohio, chairman
(202) 225-3876

David R. Obey, Wisconsin (ranking Democrat)
(202) 225-3365

C.W. Bill Young, Florida
(202) 225-5961

Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland
(202) 225-4131

Ernest J. Istook, Jr., Oklahoma
(202) 225-2132

Nancy Pelosi, California
(202) 225-4965

Dan Miller, Florida
(202) 225-5015

Nita M. Lowey, New York
(202) 225-6506

Roger F. Wicker, Mississippi
(202) 225-4306

Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut
(202) 225-3661

Anne Northup, Kentucky
(202) 225-5401

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Illinois
(202) 225-0773

Randy "Duke" Cunningham, California
(202) 225-5452

Patrick J. Kennedy, Rhode Island
(202) 225-4911

Kay Granger, Texas
(202) 225-5071

John E. Peterson, Pennsylvania
(202) 225-5121

Don Sherwood, Pennsylvania
(202) 225-3731