| On September 14, the Railroad
Retirement Coalition of Rail Labor fighting for passage of Senate Bill
697 — the Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of
2001 — announced they had temporarily suspended all lobbying efforts
for the next 10 days to two weeks (after this JOURNAL went to print)
"in light of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks upon the United
States."
The Coalition asked "that all members refrain from contacting
their Senators in support of S 697 in order to allow Congress to take
care of the nation’s more pressing needs during this time of tragedy
and mourning."
This legislation to change the Railroad Retirement system passed
the House of Representatives by an overwhelming 384-33 vote just
before Congress left town for its summer recess.
The legislation is currently being considered by the Senate Finance
Committee and in August had already attracted more than 70 cosponsors,
including Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). |
