Now it’s the US Senate’s turn to pass the Social Security Fairness Act
On Tuesday, November 12, the House of Representatives passed the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 327-75. HR 82 would repeal the WEP/GPO penalties that substantially reduce or eliminate the earned Social Security benefits of thousands of CFT members and retirees. Thanks to the nearly 2,500 CFT members who sent a letter to their congressional reps in less than 24 hours urging their YES vote on the bill. Your work made a critical difference!
Now HR 82 moves to the Senate and we’ve got more work to do.
Please take a moment to send this letter to California Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, urging them to demand Senate leadership bring HR 82 to a vote ASAP and asking that they follow through on their commitment to VOTE YES when it reaches the Senate floor.
After you send that letter, take a comment to call our senators and leave a message urging their quick action. Details here.
Apply now for CFT scholarships for graduating high school seniors
Through this benefit of membership, the CFT has helped hundreds of students reach their higher education goals by awarding them Raoul Teilhet Scholarships. As of August of this year, we have awarded 822 scholarships for a total of $2.3 million.
The Raoul Teilhet Scholarships for high school seniors who are children or dependents of CFT members in good standing are now open and are due by December 15. Students who will enroll in four-year courses of study are eligible for $3000 scholarships; those who enroll in two-year programs are eligible for $1000. More information is available here.
Note: Scholarships for continuing college students will be open on December 15, 2024.
President-elect Trump to nominate Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education
This week President-elect Trump announced that he intends to nominate Linda McMahon of WWE fame for Secretary of Education. Her choice is largely seen as a result of her fundraising efforts for Trump’s re-election campaign.
AFT President Randi Weingarten put out this statement upon the announcement, which pledged to find common ground where possible, specifically supporting the expansion of project-based instruction, career and technical education, and apprenticeships. However, if McMahon is ultimately confirmed and she attempts to pursue the radical actions laid out in Project 2025, she should expect a fight on her hands.
Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving holiday
We hope that you have a safe and restful Thanksgiving holiday with your family, friends, and loved ones. We are thankful for the incredible work CFT members do every day for our students, their families, and our communities, and for the solidarity within the CFT community as we advocate for our schools and our professions.
We acknowledge Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning for Native American communities across the United States. By learning about the history of this day, we remember those who were lost during the colonization of Indigenous Peoples. Head over to Share My Lesson for lesson plans and resources for Indigenous Peoples and Thanksgiving. Additional resources can be found on the CFT website.
As you plan your Thanksgiving meals, don’t forget to make it a union-made meal.
Support is there for those who need it
We are mindful that the Thanksgiving holiday can be a joyful time with family or a difficult time for some, especially following the results of the election. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can reach out for help by simply calling or texting 988 or by chat at 988lifeline.org. The hotline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
Join CFT on Bluesky!
CFT is now on Bluesky, an emerging social media platform that is similar to Twitter and Threads. Join us there if you are on the platform as well. And don’t forget to join the CFT conversation on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads as well.
