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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>The Blind Americans Return to Work Act has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives. It is HR 1175. It is sponsored by Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas. The lead cosponsor is Representative Kweisi Mfume, a Democrat from Maryland. According to congress.gov, this bill currently has 3 cosponsors. None of the current cosponsors are from New York State. I encourage everyone to call their representative (also known as congressman or congresswoman) and ask him or her to cosponsor HR 1175. The number for the Capitol switchboard in Washington DC is 202-224-3121. If you do not know the name of your representative, give the operator your zip code and the operator can look up the name of your representative. The more cosponsors we have for this bill, the greater the chance it will be brought up for a vote in the House of Representatives. This was one of our issues at this year’s Washington Seminar. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, HR 1175, will, if passed, phase out the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) earnings cliff. SSDI currently has a built in earnings cliff. The SSDI benefits are eliminated if the beneficiary exceeds a monthly earnings limit. This bill, if passed, would establish a gradual phase out of SSDI benefits for people making over the SGA (substantial gainful activity) limit. Under this bill, for every 2 dollars a blind worker earns over the SGA limit, their benefits would be reduced by 1 dollar. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is currently no bill on this issue in the US senate. Chris Minkler, president NFB Buffalo chapter, co-legislative director NFB of NY State. <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>