Lieberman: 'Excited about beginning a new chapter of life'

Statement that U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman emailed to supporters a few minutes ago:

Twenty three years ago, in February 1988, on a wintry day in Hartford, I announced that I would be a candidate for the U.S. Senate.  

In two years, I will complete my fourth term.  When that day comes, I will have served 24 years in the U.S. Senate.

For the extraordinary opportunities to serve our state and country that I've had, I'm personally grateful to everyone who has helped me, including you.

As you know, I have been thinking a lot and talking with family and friends about my future. I wanted you to know, in advance, that I have made a decision that I will announce at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford at 12:30 pm today.

I have decided it is time to turn the page to a new chapter, and so I will not be a candidate for re-election to a fifth term in the U.S. Senate in 2012. 

The reason for my decision, after 40 years in elective office, is best expressed in the wise words from Ecclesiastes: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven."  

For me, it is time for another season and another purpose under Heaven.

This was not an easy decision for me to make because I have loved serving in the Senate and I feel good about what I have accomplished.  But I know it is the right decision and, I must say, I am excited about beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities.

I look forward to spending the next two years in the Senate devoting the full measure of my energy and attention to getting things done for Connecticut and our country. 

And when my Senate chapter draws to a close in 2013, I look forward to new opportunities that will allow me to continue to serve our country - and to stay engaged and involved in the causes that I have spent my career working on, and that I care so much about. 

I go forward with a tremendous sense of gratitude for the opportunities I have had to make a difference.   Hadassah and I thank you for the trust and support you have shown us over the years.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lieberman to retire? It appears so.

The Washington Post and many other news organizations are reporting that U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut's senior senator, won't seek reelection in 2012, clearing the field for an old-fashioned showdown between the Republicans and Democrats.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lieberman next on voters' hit list?

Polls show U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman has managed to alienate Democrats, Republicans and independents alike.According to a Public Policy Polling survey yesterday, only one in four of the state's voters approve of the job the senator is doing.
Democrats loathe him most, with ony 14 percent still backing him, but Lieberman's not doing well among the rest of the electorate either. Only 39 of GOp voters support Lieberman and just 32 percent of independents.
"It's hard to see how he'll be around for another term," said Dean Debnam, president of the North Carolina-based polling outfit, according to this release.
Fortunately for Lieberman, he doesn't face the voters again until 2012. And that's a long time by political standards.
Of course, it appears Lieberman's strategy is to keep racking up enemies. It's not the typical politicians' style, but then Lieberman is clearly not the stereotypical senator.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lieberman's go-it-alone health care stance draws praise from GOP, criticism from Democrats

In blue collar Connecticut, where U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman found the support he needed to secure reelection three years ago, Republicans are hailing the senator’s battle against the Democrats’ proposed health care overhaul.
Democrats, though, are increasingly disheartened – even disgusted – with their party’s former vice presidential standard-bearer.
“Joe Lieberman has broken every promise he made to get re-elected,” said Allen Marko, a former City Council candidate.
He said Lieberman lied about backing a Democrat for president, lied about the Iraq War and is now breaking another promise to pass health care reform.
“It's all about Joe and what will get him the spotlight. And when it isn't, it’s about protecting the health insurance and pharmaceutical industry, two of his biggest financial supporters,” Marko said.
But GOP activists said they strongly support the junior senator’s bid to block a public option for health care.
“Not only do I approve of Sen. Lieberman's intent to filibuster, I'd be his water carrier if I could,” said Mary Alford, this year’s unsuccessful Republican mayoral contender.
Republican city Councilor Ken Cockayne, who opposes the public option idea, said, “Joe has always been willing to stand up for what he believes even if it means standing alone.”
“Health care reform is necessary, but the plan being proposed is over reaching considerably and Joe knows this,” said Cockayne, an insurance seller. “If their motivation is truly to promote competition and to bring prices down, there are many other alternatives to be tried first.”
David Mills, a new GOP city councilor, said, “This is too big a topic and too expensive to have it forced through the process because some people want another government program.”
“There are so many inefficiencies in government run programs. What makes anyone think that this will be different?” Mills said.
Former Mayor William Stortz, a Republican, said, “One has to give Sen. Lieberman credit for having the courage of his convictions. He has access to more information than most of us, and obviously is not comfortable with what is being proposed.”
Stortz said he has many questions about the plan and is sure others do, too.
“I am happy that the senator is trying to get the legislation out in the open and also to have it more reflect what the people want,” Stortz said.
“We cry for more non-partisan behavior, yet when it happens as it is in this case, the individuals are castigated. As I see it, Sen. Lieberman is still playing by the rules of the Senate,” Stortz said.
Lieberman has said he backs health care reform, but opposes a public option that would include government-run health care for some Americans who choose it.
Democrats who back the public option, including Sen. Chris Dodd and U.S. Reps. John Larson and Chris Murphy, said it’s vital to the plan because it will hold insurance rates down.
Dodd said he hasn’t talked with Lieberman about the issue.
“Joe makes up his own mind,” Dodd said. “We disagree on this one.”
“Joe has said it’s a matter of conscience,” said Larson. “Everybody has to follow their own conscience.”
Dodd said no one has said Lieberman should be ousted from the Democratic caucus over the issue.
“This isn’t about where Joe stands or I stand,” said Dodd. “This is a very important issue.”
People are worried about whether they can hang on to their job or their home, or whether they’ll have health care when they get sick, said Dodd, not about political disputes.
“Most people in this state have little or no interest in that,” said Dodd.
Larson said it’s also important to look at the impact the legislation would have on so many people.
“I think a public option’s what makes the bill,” said Larson. “It provides the competition.”
Former city Councilor Craig Minor, a Democrat, said it is obvious that Lieberman’s “real concern is for insurance industry profits, not sick and dying Americans.”
“Decreased premiums means decreased profit for the insurance industry,” Minor said.
“Those leeches will always demand their quart of blood from the sick and dying,” Minor said. “Thanks for standing up for us, Joe!”
Alford said that free competition “will bring those premiums down a lot faster than anything else” that anyone can do.
“Washington should not be in the business of being in business,” she said. “They can't manage the job description they have and they want us to trust them with health decisions? Laughable.
So I say, go for it Sen. Lieberman. Fight that good fight.”

To see more comments about Lieberman’s stance, please continue reading:

Mary Alford

Not only do I approve of Sen. Lieberman's intent to filibuster, I'd be his water carrier if I could .
This whole "debate" is not about health care but about power and control over every aspect of our lives. Our so-called leaders are voting on something most of them haven't even read and something they didn't write.
Public "option" is nothing of the sort. In the fine print, as it were, are requirements for the purchase of insurance with resulting heavy financial penalties for failure to do so. Nowhere in our Constitution does it give the Federal Government the power to demand that any citizen buy anything. This is so far out of their purview it's ridiculous. Add to that the fact that every single thing they try to run they run into the ground and you have a recipe for disaster, at our expense.
Take a look at Oregon and Massachusetts. Disasters - both of them - and yet Washington wants us to believe that they have somehow managed, in all of their infinite wisdom and knowledge, to figure out how to do this on a national level. Can anyone say Canada? Americans are not going to Canada for medical care but countless Canadians are coming here to get the care they would have to wait too long for in their own country.
Just a thought. How about trying tort reform and opening state borders for insurance sales?
Competition in a free market society will bring those premiums down a lot faster than anything else. Washington should not be in the business of being in business. They can't manage the job description they have and they want us to trust them with health decisions? Laughable.
So I say, go for it Sen. Lieberman. Fight that good fight. I'm with ya.

David Mills

I do believe there needs to be reform in health care. However, I do not believe the public option is necessarey to get the cost of insurance down. The Democratic controlled Congress is trying to ram this health bill down our throats and they have not read the bill and are not representing their constituants desires. Most people do not want the public option.
This being said, I believe Senator Lieberman is following the interests of the people of the state and is telling the Congress where he stands. He is not looking for a "Sweetheart" deal from the leadership and is acting in our best interest.
I realize his position is controversial. However, this is too big a topic and too expensive to have it forced through the process because some people want another Government program. There are so many ineffeciencies in goivernment run programs. What makes anyone think that this will be different?

Craig Minor

If you analyze the closing comment in his Hartford Courant op-ed piece, it’s obvious that his real concern is for insurance industry profits, not sick and dying Americans. “A new public option will likely increase premiums for the 170 million Americans who already have private insurance…” Hmm…will “likely increase premiums”. Why is that? Shouldn’t more competition DECREASE the cost of premiums? Oh, of course…because decreased premiums means decreased profit for the insurance industry. Those leeches will ALWAYS demand their quart of blood from the sick and dying. Thanks for standing up for us, Joe!

William Stortz

One has to give Senator Lieberman for having the courage of his convictions. He has access to more information than most of us, and obviously is not comfortable with what is being proposed. I too have questions, as do many others I am sure, and I am happy that the Senator is trying to get the legislation out in the open and also to have it more reflect what the people want.
We cry for more non-partisan behavior, yet when it happens as it is in this case, the individual(s) are castigated. As I see it, Senator Lieberman is still playing by the rules of the Senate.
I say give the Senator credit, put it all on the table, LISTEN to the people and then vote. In our government, a democracy, the majority stills rules.
Keep at it Senator!

Ken Cockayne

Joe has always been willing to stand up for what he believes even if it means standing alone. I respect him a lot for the stances he takes even though I might not always agree with him.
As far as his stance on this issue, I believe he is correct. Health care reform is necessary, but the plan being proposed is over reaching considerably and Joe knows this. If their motivation is truly to promote competition and to bring prices down, there are many other alternatives to be tried first, like allowing purchases of health insurance across state borders. Lifting some of these regulations will promote more competition then a public option and would not cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. There are also others, mandates on insurance carriers are very costly and I believe some are unnecessary. Many of these mandates do not allow coverage’s to be tailored to the individual or the group.

Allen Marko

Joe Lieberman has broken every promise he made to get re-elected:
I will work to get a Democrat in the White House - supported McCain.
Nobody wants the war in Iraq to end more than I do - Tried to spread it to Iran.
Now he has broken another - I represent the best chance to pass health care reform.
It's all about Joe and what will get him the spotlight. And when it isn't, it’s about protecting the health insurance and pharmaceutical industry, two of his biggest financial supporters.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

How health care measure might pass

We all know that U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut's independent-minded junior senator, has declared that he will side with Republicans in trying to filibuster the proposed health care bill because it contains a public option. For Lieberman, it's a matter of conscience.

Without Lieberman or some Republicans, the Democrats simply can't muster the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster.

But that may not matter.

U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat who is the fourth-ranking leader in the House, said today that maybe Americans need a filibuster in the Senate so they can focus on the issue and see where they stand.

He said he hopes the majority, who want passage, can prevail.

But if they can't, there is another way.

Larson said senators who back the health care plan need to do whatever they must to pass something so the bill can go to a conference committee where Senate and House members will hash out a joint measure.

"Get the bill to conference," Larson said.

What happens to the bill that emerges from conference is what really matters. And the Senate rules don't allow filibusters on measures coming out of conference, so a bare majority can prevail.

That means, to put it baldly, that if the Senate strips out the public option in order to secure the bill's passage -- something Lieberman would likely vote for -- the conference committee can put the public option back in.

Larson said that with the president backing it and four of the five congressional committees that studied the proposal endorsing it, the public option is a pretty good bet to emerge as part of the final bill.

"The public option is what makes the bill," Larson said. "It provides the competition."

You don't have to be a political insider to see how this is going to play out.

A health care plan with a public option is likely to emerge from Congress within a few months.

For Larson, that's a necessity.

"This is an economic and health care Katrina. The system's broke," Larson said.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Joe wants to know

"Is it true that the sun always shines when Art Ward is around?" asked U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman during a press event in Bristol today.

Nobody answered him so I guess I'll leave it up to my blog readers to provide the senator with responses.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lieberman likes light rail concept

Calling the extension of light rail "a good idea," U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman said Friday the possibility of a new commuter rail line between Waterbury and Hartford is "definitely worth exploring."
Lieberman said that commuter rail would help reduce gasoline use, relieve highway congestion and help the envi-ronment.
"It’s also good for the environment," Lieberman said.
State lawmakers are pushing for a $250,000 study of the possible use of a 24.5 mile, privately owned freight rail line between Berlin and Waterbury. It would have stops in at least New Britain, Plainville and Bristol.
The owner of the line, the Massachusetts-based Pan Am Railways, has estimated it would cost $52 million to make the necessary upgrades to the existing single-track line to allow for commuter trails to operate. Supporters have said it could probably use old Metro North passenger cars to save money.
Lieberman said he doesn’t know too much about the light rail project touted by Bristol and state officials. But, he said, he generally supports the concept.
He said that one of the nation’s mistakes over the past 40 years has been to let light rail wither when it should have been a key element of transportation policy.
Lieberman said the proposed line between New Haven and Springfield, Mass. – a project likely to be funded with federal economic stimulus money – opens the door to other, connected plans.
The area’s two congressmen – U.S. Reps. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol and Berlin, and Chris Murphy, a Cheshire Democrat whose 5th District includes New Britain and Waterbury --- said this week they support study of the light rail proposal for Bristol and New Britain.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lieberman rules out another veep run

Connecticut's junior senator, Joe Lieberman, said today he's not going to run for vice president with Republican John McCain or anyone else, according to a story on The Washington Post's website.
"I'm staying in the United States Senate and it's going to be great to have a friend like John McCain in the White House," Lieberman told a New Hampshire crowd while campaigning for McCain, according to the paper.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Stay of execution for Bristol Social Security office

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, moments ago:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) told the Connecticut Congressional Delegation today that it has decided to keep the Bristol office open for at least another three months while they reevaluate their decision to close it.

Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, as well as Congressman John B. Larson CT-01, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, have worked tirelessly with the community and Administration to keep this office open. Most recently, Lieberman and Dodd were successful in getting an amendment introduced and included in an appropriations bill that would prohibit SSA from closing the Bristol office until they meet certain requirements. Congressman Larson has spoken with Michael Astrue, the Commissioner of the SSA, on numerous occasions to stress the importance of this office and the hardships closing it would inflict on the community. The members have also worked to diligently to increase funding for the Social Security Administration above the levels set both by the previous year and the request of the Bush Administration.

The Social Security Office provides a vital function to the population in and around Bristol. And, the delegation has every intention of continuing to fight until a permanent decision to keep the office open is made.

Congressman John B. Larson CT-01, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, spoke with Michael Astrue, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, this afternoon. Following the conversation, Larson said:

“I would like to thank Commissioner Astrue for going above and beyond to help us keep this office open. I am thrilled at today’s news and I’m confident we will be able to keep this office open. I will continue to work with the Social Security Administration and my colleagues in the Senate to make the decision to keep the Bristol office open permanent. The office is vital to Bristol’s elderly community. I realize that, the town realizes that and now the Social Security Administration is beginning to realize that.”

Senator Chris Dodd (CT-D) said:
"This is certainly a step in the right direction, and I am confident that given this extra time the SSA will recognize the vital role this office plays in the community of Bristol and the surrounding area. This is not a matter of mere convenience for our senior citizens; it is a matter of necessity. I am sure the SSA will draw the same conclusion in three months' time."

Senator Joe Lieberman (CT – ID) said:

“I am pleased that SSA will keep the Bristol office open while they consider the negative impact of closing this vital facility. I hope that they reach the conclusion that this office must permanently remain open in order to provide critical services to the residents of this area.”


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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

U.S. Senate: leave Bristol Social Security office open

Lieberman press release, issued this afternoon:

Lieberman, Dodd Win Significant Battle in Bristol SSA Fight

Rep. Larson and Senators continue push to keep office open

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) took a significant step forward in the fight to prevent the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing its field office in Bristol. The Senate unanimously passed an amendment introduced by both Senators to the appropriations bill that funds the Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) that would not allow SSA to close the Bristol office until they meet certain requirements (outlined below). The bill now must go to President Bush.

SSA could close the Bristol office as early as November 2, if the legislation has not become law. Lieberman, Dodd and Congressman John B Larson (CT-01) are writing a letter to SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue urging him to respect the wishes of Congress and not close the office at least until the requirements of the amendment have been met.

"The Senate has sent a loud and clear message to the Social Security Administration that they should keep the Bristol office open," Lieberman said. "I hope SSA will not rush to disregard the will of the Senate and close the Bristol office before this amendment has a chance to become law."

"I am pleased that the full Senate agreed that the Bristol Social Security office should remain open," said Dodd. "Our senior citizens face enough challenges without having to travel unreasonable distances or conforming to limited timeframes for access to services they need and deserve. I urge the SSA to accept the recommendation of the Senate and keep the Bristol Office open."

Congressman Larson, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, said: "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate in conference to make sure that this amendment is included in any legislation that hits the President's desk. I will also continue to work with the Social Security Administration, which has been greatly under-funded, to keep the Bristol office open. The Bristol Social Security Office is vital to the residents of the community. We are doing everything within our power in Congress to make sure it stays open."

The amendment requires SSA to provide the following to Congress before closing the Bristol field office:

• A thorough analysis of the criteria used for selecting field offices for closure and how the SSA analyzes and considers factors relating to transportation and communication burdens faced by seniors and the disabled as a result of field office closures;

• A cost-benefit analysis of closing the office that takes the following into account:

o The savings anticipated by the closure;

o The burdens placed on seniors and the disabled;

o Any costs associated with replacing the services lost by closing the office.


Below is the text of the letter sent by Senators Lieberman and Dodd and Rep. Larson to SSA:

October 24, 2007

Michael J. Astrue
Commissioner
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235-0001

Dear Commissioner Astrue:

We are again writing to ask your reconsideration of the proposal to close the Bristol Office and to bring to your attention an amendment passed today by the United States Senate regarding this proposal.

Today, the Senate unanimously adopted an amendment we all supported to prevent any funds from being used to close the Bristol office at this time. We continue to believe that this proposal is ill-advised and that the selection of the Bristol office for closure was not based on a sound analysis of the impact on elderly citizens in our state as compared to the relatively minimal savings to be achieved.

As we have previously pointed out, the Bristol office serves over 12,000 elderly and disabled citizens each year. According to documents provided by the Social Security Administration, the Bristol office handles 25 to 35 unscheduled walk-ins each day, in addition to regularly scheduled appointments. A good many of these walk-ins are residents that rely on public transportation. Asking them to travel to New Britain is a hardship: in many cases it would require them to transfer buses or take a taxi each way. We further want to emphasize that this is a population that often is not comfortable negotiating transactions over the telephone, and is not knowledgeable about navigating online services.

We continue to believe that the criteria for selecting the Bristol office and other offices for closure has not been articulated and that a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis has not been conducted that adequately considers the transportation and communication burdens placed on the elderly. Hence the amendment adopted by the Senate states that the office should not be closed at least until such time as such criteria are identified and such analysis has been submitted.

We hope you will honor the will of the Senate. We also hope you will continue to explore with us other options to achieve cost savings while keeping open the Bristol office.

Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman UNITED STATES SENATOR
Christopher J. Dodd UNITED STATES SENATOR
John B. Larson MEMBER OF CONGRESS

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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Bristol getting shafted on Social Security closure?

While targeting Bristol’s Social Security office for closure, the federal government plans to leave offices open in eight other Connecticut cities that serve far fewer people.
The only bigger municipality in the state that lacks a Social Security office is West Hartford, which shares a border with Hartford, which has a full-service office..
East Hartford, however, which also borders Hartford but which has a population almost 10 percent smaller than Bristol, has a Social Security office that’s slated to remain open.
Even tiny Willimantic, which has a little more than a quarter of Bristol’s population, will retain its Social Security office.
The Social Security Administration plans to close the Bristol office on Nov. 2 to save about $113,000 annually. It anticipates that residents of Bristol and surrounding towns will use the frequently crowded office in New Britain instead.
Connecticut’s two senators and U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose district includes Bristol, are pushing the Bush administration to reverse course and let the office remain open.
There are currently 17 Social Security offices in the state. Bristol’s is the only one that’s slated to shut down.
If the office is closed, Bristol will easily be the largest city in the state lacking a Social Security office either within its borders or in a neighboring municipality.
Milford, which also lacks one, is midway between New Haven and Stamford, which do. It has more than 20 percent fewer residents than Bristol, which had 60,187 as of the last Census. Experts say the city has added about 1,000 people since the Census.
The eight Connecticut cities and towns that are smaller than Bristol that have Social Security offices are Ansonia, East Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New London, Norwich, Torrington and Willimantic.
In a letter to the administrator of the Social Security Administration, Larson and U.S. Sens. Joe Lieberman and Chris Dodd argued that Bristol’s office should remain open in part because of the “unique transportation situation” that would make it difficult for someone to take a bus to the New Britain office.
The lawmakers said in a recent press release that the proposed budget passed by the House of Representatives this spring includes a significant increase in funding to the Social Security Administration. The Senate may provide even more money.
They said that almost 15 percent of Bristol’s residents are 65 years or older, which means that at least one in five city residents gets Social Security because of age, survivor benefits or disability. Politicians point out they are also often the people who have the hardest time traveling.
"We must remind the Social Security Administration and the President that they owe our seniors the respect of an accessible Social Security office,” Larson said.
"It is critical that seniors have easy access to Social Security offices," said Dodd, who is running for president.
"I will continue to work closely with Senator Lieberman and Representative Larson to urge Commissioner Astrue to reconsider his decision to close the Bristol office. Thousands of Connecticut seniors rely on Social Security and they should not be forced to jump through hoops in order to get the benefits they deserve."
Lieberman said he is “extremely disappointed” that Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue's decision to close the Bristol office.
"Consolidating this office with the New Britain office would be a tremendous burden on seniors in our state, “ Lieberman said.
“Earlier this year, Senator Dodd, Representative Larson and I met Commissioner Astrue to hear the agency's budget concerns, and we responded by working in the House and the Senate to increase the budget for the Social Security Administration,” Lieberman said.
“In view of these facts, I urge Commissioner Astrue to reconsider this decision," Lieberman said.
City officials and the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce have also called for the office to stay open.

Connecticut's Social Security offices
Ansonia
Bridgeport
Bristol
Danbury
East Hartford
Hartford
Meriden
Middletown
New Britain
New Haven
New London
Norwalk
Norwich
Stamford
Torrington
Waterbury
Willimantic


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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Mayor: Social Security office safe for now

Though I'm not sure there's an appreciable difference between what Mayor William Stortz is announcing today and what Jackie Majerus wrote in the Press back in nearly May, here's what the mayor has to say in a new press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bristol, CT, June 18, 2007 - In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz announced that he has received confirmation that any decision on the Bristol Social Security Office will be deferred until later in the year.

Stortz said, “With the combined efforts of Senators Dodd and Lieberman, and Congressman Larson, the SSA is deferring a decision until the new Commissioner can fully evaluate the agency operations.”

“While this does not necessarily mean his decision is final, it does provide more time for all potentially affected citizens to further voice their support for keeping the office open”, said Stortz.

Stortz concluded, “I urge everyone to continue their efforts in contacting your Federal legislators, and the Social Security office. As proven so far, your voice does make a difference.”

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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com