SCHAKOWSKY CALLS FOR ACTION ON BILL TO HELP ILLINOIS RETIREES. URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO WORK TO WIN ENACTMENT OF THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT AND SURVIVORS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO WORK TO WIN ENACTMENT OF THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT AND SURVIVORS' IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) called on President Clinton to make the enactment of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000, H.R. 4844, one of his priorities before Congress adjourns. Schakowsky said that the legislation would help retirees in Illinois and improve financial security for hundreds of thousands of senior citizens and their families across the country.

In a letter to the President, Schakowsky wrote that H.R. 4844, "{i}s critical for the 748,000 beneficiaries and the surviving spouses of rail workers across the nation who need the much needed benefit improvements it would provide. Its passage will prevent harsh cuts in survivors' benefits, allow workers with thirty years of service to retire at age 60 with full benefits, and strengthen the financial viability of the program."

She added, "I hope that you encourage Senate Majority Leader Lott to act and that you will make enactment of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act one of your priorities. It would be a shame if we were to adjourn the 106th Congress without giving you the opportunity to sign H.R. 4844 into law."

The House passed H.R. 4844 by a margin of 391 to 25 but the full Senate has yet to act.