The Is About Fairness
Featuring Representative Rodney Davis
Episode #4 | 8 March 2022 | Listen | Subscribe
“Fairness” – a concept that our society treasures; something that we, as law enforcement officers, value. American’s plan and prepare for retirement years by investing a retirement benefit. But, for millions of public employees, police, firemen, teachers, and others, that planning means that if you have paid into both a public pension system and also met the necessary quarters to qualify for Social Security benefits, you will be penalized. Although we paid for these benefits, the social security rules could result in a reduction of social security benefits.
The “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP) and the “Government Pension Offset” (GPO) in current Social Security law cut or eliminate the earned benefits of more than two million retirees. This provision has created a very real inequity for many public employees, particularly law enforcement officers, who retire earlier than other government employees due to the demands placed on them both physically and mentally… and often begin second careers. The provision cuts as much as 60% from the Social Security benefit. A benefit that they have paid for, just as other Americans.
Keeping what you earned and deserving nothing if it isn’t earned – that’s “fair.” One of the FOP’s Top Priorities is H.R. 82, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” which would repeal both the WEP and GPO. This is an issue of fairness, as these public employees are unfairly penalized under current law.
It is critical to have strong allies in Congress, especially those who working to address the most pressing issues facing America’s law enforcement community. In this episode of the Blue View, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by one of the leading sponsors for the bill, Representative Rodney Davis, from Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. Representative Davis has been fighting for our men and women in blue since day one. Representative Davis is one of our most devoted supporters, and we thank him for the help.
Rodney Davis is currently serving his fifth term in Congress representing the 13th District of Illinois, which covers a 14-county region that includes both urban and rural communities in central and southwestern Illinois. Congressman Davis serves on the Committee on House Administration, where he is the Ranking Member, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and the House Committee on Agriculture.
Some of Rodney’s top priorities are growing jobs and small businesses, providing tax relief for working families, supporting law enforcement and first responders, investing in American infrastructure, supporting our troops and veterans, making health care and education more affordable, supporting the American farmer and rural communities, and making Washington work for citizens.
Since he was seven, Rodney has called Taylorville home, where he, his wife, and three kids attend church and are active in the community. Rodney’s first job was flipping burgers at his parents’ restaurant in Taylorville. He attended Millikin University in Decatur and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Prior to being elected to the U.S. House in 2012, Rodney served as Projects Director for Congressman John Shimkus for 16 years, helping Illinois citizens and communities cut through government red tape and secure federal funding.
Law enforcement officers have one of the toughest and most dangerous jobs in the United States. The brave men and women of law enforcement are charged with the enormous responsibility of keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe.
Be sure to tune in to Blue View, a weekly podcast presented by the National Fraternal Order of Police, to hear from law enforcement experts, elected officials, and other notable leaders to gain insight into the issues and current events surrounding the law enforcement community. Each episode will leave you with a better understanding of what law enforcement officers face daily. Together, we can rebuild the trust between police officers and the communities they serve.
