Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise quickly to express my support for the passage of H.R. 1140, the Railroad Retirement Survivors Improvement Act. As the title suggests, this bill aims to provide equitable and fitting compensation for those who have served and those who are currently serving the railroad industry. The move to modernize the railroad retirement trust fund is revolutionary, yet vital. With this bill, the railroad retirement trust fund will receive increased revenues for its beneficiaries through investment in a diversified portfolio. In my home State of West Virginia, almost 12,000 railroad employees, retirees, spouses, and widows have benefitted from this plan. In my district alone, 3,000 railroad beneficiaries would benefit from this. Many of these people have called my office over the past few months asking me to support this bipartisan effort. Widows of former rail workers have told me stories about the minimum benefits they receive, where they can barely pay their bills. Such stories should encourage us to act and act quickly. Over the past century, the hard work, long hours, and true dedication of many men and women have built an effective network of rail tracks around this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to pass this legislation.”