Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s (D. OH) re-election campaign:
I brought a very special guest with me to the State of the Union in January -- Rita Lewis.
Rita’s husband, Butch, was a truck driver and Purple Heart recipient -- he worked hard, served his country, paid into his pension, and retired. One year after retiring, he was notified that his multi-employer pension benefits would be cut by 40 percent.
Rather than enjoy the retirement he spent his life working for, he spent his days worrying about paying the bills and providing for his family.
The last conversation he ever had with Rita before his passing was about the pension crisis affecting so many Ohioans like them. Since then, Rita’s been working alongside thousands of workers and retirees in Ohio whose pensions are in jeopardy to sound the alarm.
If Congress doesn’t act soon, some two hundred multi-employer pension plans could go bankrupt -- jeopardizing the livelihoods of nearly 1,500,000 workers and retirees.
I’m demanding Congress take action to address the pension crisis. Join me by signing your name »
These workers aren’t asking for a miracle or for a handout. They’re asking us to fulfill the simple promise that’s been made to them.
These folks worked hard. They played by all the rules and paid into their pension with every paycheck. Over a lifetime of work, they’ve earned a secure retirement.
I invited Rita to be my guest because we need to shine a light on this crisis. No family should have to go through what Rita and Butch went through -- No family should feel like their voices aren’t being heard and their suffering is falling on deaf ears.
But if Congress continues down this path, I cannot and will not allow that to happen.
Join me in urging Congress to take action on the pension crisis before major pension plans go bankrupt.
With gratitude,
Sherrod
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