As the 113th Congressional session draws to a close this week, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) announced his satisfaction with three positive legislative outcomes for his constituents in Western Pennsylvania.
First, the bipartisan provision for retirement benefits introduced by Kelly and fellow Reps. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Ron Kind (D-WI) was included in the final approved version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015. This provision redefines “normal retirement age” as 62 years old or following 30 years of service, thereby preserving retirement benefits for 10,000 electric co-op beneficiaries.
“I am thrilled that our bipartisan retirement provision is now federal law,” Kelly said. “By working together and putting our constituents’ needs first, we have successfully stopped the IRS from eliminating retirement benefits for more than 10,000 rural electric co-op employees of more than 300 co-ops throughout the nation—including 16 in (Pennsylvania’s) Third District.”
National Rural Electric Cooperative CEO Jo Ann Emerson offered her appreciation for Kelly and others who worked to get the legislation passed before the holiday break.
“On behalf of our 10,000 members whose benefits were saved with the inclusion of the critical normal retirement age provision in the FY 2015 Omnibus, thank you Rep. Mike Kelly for working so diligently on this major accomplishment,” she said. “Our members are even further blessed this holiday season and have additional reminders to give thanks.”
The second victory was the president’s signing on Friday of a package of extenders for multiple expiring tax incentives for propane and biodiesel, which were included in Kelly’s Powering American Jobs Act.
“I am also very happy to see President Obama sign into law a major portion of the Powering American Jobs Act,” he said. “This will help keep taxes from being raised and help create jobs in Western Pennsylvania.”
Lastly was the signing into law of the ABLE Act. This legislation, also known as Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, was co-sponsored by Kelly and will provide families of severely disabled children the opportunity to save for their child’s long-term disability expenses via 529 investment plans.
“The signing of the ABLE Act, along with its overwhelming popular and bipartisan passage in Congress, should serve as proof that with the right goals and principles leading the way, Washington can still get necessary work done for the American people,” Kelly said.