Washington, D.C. - Lubbock High School senior Eliseo Jimenez, who trekked over 1,600 miles from Lubbock to Washington, D.C. to advocate for social security reform, was interviewed by Jodey Arrington, the Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a Lubbock lawmaker.
Arrington issued a press release on Tuesday expressing his appreciation for Jimenez's contributions. Upon the 17-year-old's arrival in Washington, D.C., Arrington expressed his admiration for her, stating, "Everyone is proud of you, and I am eager to meet you in person." "May God bless you, my friend." I wish you a safe journey.
Jimenez initiated the journey to advocate for the passage of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, and to raise funds for disabled and senior citizens.
The bill is designed to eliminate Social Security penalties for retired public personnel, including teachers, police officers, state workers, firefighters, and their spouses or widows, as well as certain individuals with disabilities.
In their meeting, Jimenez and Arrington deliberated on their respective policy perspectives on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which has resulted in public service employees forfeiting the Social Security benefits they have accrued.
Arrington is of the opinion that H.R. 82 is not the appropriate solution to the problem.
Arrington continued to share that H.R. 82 is an attempt to fix it, and she applauds the people who've worked on it but don't think it's the right fix.
The lawmaker told Jimenez, "We have to make sure Social Security is not just there for your grandmother, and for my parents and for me; we have to make sure it's there for you and for your children."
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