Rail retirement measure on hold
WASHINGTON -- The battle to enact the provisions of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000 may be nearly over, but the war is just beginning.

As this issue of UTU News went to press, Congress was at a standstill due to the lack of leadership and the uncertainty over the presidential race.

A lame-duck session of Congress may be convened this month, but the legislators will have their hands full trying to pass a budget and acting on other matters.

"We are not optimistic that anything will change as to the status of H.R. 4844 unless that change comes from outside Washington, D.C.," UTU National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer said.

"Members of the Congress and the Senate will be at home during the holidays. Please take this time to contact those members," Brunkenhoefer said. "Please go and visit their offices in their districts. We need to let them know this issue is not going away.

"If we are not successful in accomplishing our goal during a 'lame duck' session, we will be back during the next session of Congress, which will begin January 3, 2001.

"All elected members of Congress have stated that they want to act in a bi-partisan manner. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to exercise those promises."

Brunkenhoefer noted that Cong. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) has introduced H.R. 5387, which he calls "The Railroad Retirement Improvement Act."

"This is a horrible bill. It destroys Railroad Retirement as we know it," he said. "Although we are not ignoring this legislation, the bill has no other Congressional support and the committee that it has been referred to will not hold any further hearings this year.

"Congressman Smith is known for these last-minute, meaningless, futile attempts. It is very possible that Congressman Smith hopes to accomplish his real goal of defeating H.R. 4844.

"He spoke against H.R. 4844 and subsequently voted against it on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It may be his strategy to get our supporters 'off message' and attempt to divide our efforts. Please do not hand Congressman Smith his victory by fighting a dead bill and not passing H.R. 4844.

"Any negative response will only encourage Smith. We need to strengthen our resolve to stay 'on message' and support the bi-partisan principles contained in H.R. 4844," Brunkenhoefer said.

"If Congressman Smith continues his efforts in the next session of Congress, we will deal with him at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.

"It is important to remember, we have not changed our goal of sending the message to Congress that the provisions of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act are critical to our widows, our retirees and our active railroad employees and we will continue our efforts until it becomes law.

"As always, keep your calls friendly, up-beat and professional. The elections are over. Calls, letters and any other form of communication that are angry or overwrought with frustration will be counterproductive to our efforts," Brunkenhoefer said.

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