For the past half-century, union officials representing these groups have been pressuring Congress to eliminate WEP because they wrongly think the law cheats their members out of Social Security benefits they are due. In each of those years, a bill to eliminate WEP has failed to get approved.

A new push by federal lawmakers could benefit Georgia teachers and first responders. It comes after certain provisions reduced retirement benefits for almost 2.5 million Americans working in the public sector.