A Solid Win in the House!

Last night, the U.S. House delivered a bipartisan vote to pass the Butch Lewis Act (H.R. 397), 264-169. This is a major step forward in our union’s multi-year effort to find a solution to the issues facing financially-distressed multiemployer pension plans. Cheers rang out from those watching in the House Gallery as the vote was announced. Impacted members and retirees from a number of unions, including our own, were part of the crowd. 

Out of our three main local representatives, Lamb and Doyle both voted Yes. Reschenthaler voted No.

Thanks to all who called, emailed, or found some way to contact our representatives on this matter. No matter how your representative voted, your voice still matters. 

From here, the bill moves to the Senate, where a new fight will unfold. Yesterday, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio reintroduced similar legislation (S. 2254), gaining the support of 26 other Senators who have cosponsored. 

Update #1

As of 7/26/2019 - Senate Support for S.2254 - Click here for the official site. 

There are 25 Democrats, 1 Independent,  and 0 Republicans that are supporting this bill.  Out of Pennsylvania's two Senators, Casey has already supported our cause. Toomey has not supported yet as of this date. If you live in the state of Pennsylvania, email Senator Pat Toomey and request his support ASAP.  CLICK HERE FOR HIS EMAIL PAGE. Thanks you for doing your part. He has to act on this by our many contacts to his office. 

Update #2

I wanted to share my email to our Senator that has not supported this bill yet. I will post his reply when available.

My email to Sen. Pat Toomey on 7/26/2019:

Help is needed and we look to your leadership to provide this help.
As a proud steelworker in the city of Pittsburgh, I'm asking that you'd support S.2254 - Rehabilitation for Multi-Employer Pensions.
We, the middle class workers that pay taxes, have seen our tax money bail out various organizations throughout the years.
By no fault of our own, we need assistance. Not as a bailout, but as a backstop to protect our pensions.
As this measure was being debated in the Ways and Means committee, I was there in person to hear the different sides. Something needs to be done. If you are inclined to vote no on this, as a responsible leader, please present an alternative measure ASAP. This is a very important issue that faces many hard working Americans. No effort on this matter from your office is not what we deserve. Something needs to be done.
Please be aware that the response will be shared with my coworkers at my steel mill and published on our website.
We all are looking forward to your response.

Thanks for your time.

Update #3

Senator Toomey's Reply:

Dear Derick,

Thank you for contacting me about multiemployer pension plans. I appreciate knowing your thoughts on this issue.

There are many serious issues facing multiemployer benefit plans and pension plans in general. I understand your concerns about the future of these programs. As you may know, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law No: 115-123) established a 16-person bicameral, bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans to produce legislative recommendations on this topic by November 30, 2018. Even though the deadline has passed, members of the committee have stated they will continue their work to address these important issues.

On a related matter, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's Multiemployer Insurance Program as currently structured faces insolvency by the end of 2025, which would adversely affect nearly ten million multiemployer defined benefit plan participants. Moving forward, I will be working with my colleagues both on the Senate Finance Committee and in the Senate as a whole to find ways to address these serious challenges.

Thank you again for your correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
 

Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE HOUSE VOTE

---- AYES    264 ---

---- NOES    169 ---

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LOCAL 1219 RAPID RESPONSE, PLEASE CLICK HERE