Bipartisanship

Floor Speech

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Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.

This legislation will finally repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, mistakes which have unfairly reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for millions of Americans who have devoted their years to public service. I am proud that a strong bipartisan majority came together to protect their hard- earned benefits.

As we celebrate this historic vote, it is also important to recognize that, were it not for the discharge petition, this bill, despite its strong bipartisan support, would never have even come to the floor for a vote.

Too often the extreme flanks of both parties are calling the shots, leaving the majority of Members who are seeking bipartisan and thoughtful policymaking absolutely hamstrung.

As we look forward to the 119th Congress, it is my hope that we can strengthen the discharge petition, allowing us to bring more meaningful bipartisan pieces of legislation to the floor and more bipartisan productivity back to this Chamber.

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