The Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security is to present a briefing to U.S. House staffers on the mandatory Social Security coverage issue on July 18 and coalition members are being urged to contact their representatives' offices to ask them to attend.

The briefing, which is to be held in room 2255 of the Rayburn House Office Building from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., is intended to exlain to House staff the effects that forced Social Security coverage of public employees would have on states and localities that are now outside of Social Security.

Both the House and Senate are examining Social Security reform possibilities and the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to produce the lead Republican bill soon. House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Jim McCrery, R-La., has given mixed signals about his opinion of mandatory coverage, saying he "can't make any promises" that it won't be included in the bill.

"We're getting close to the time when lawmakers will actually write reform legislation and we need to make sure their aides understand how big a mistake mandatory coverage would be," CPRS Chair Terri Bierdeman said. "This is a huge moment for us. Even if Social Security reform doesn't pass this year, whatever goes into this bill could become the starting point in future years."

Attendance at the briefing, coalition officials say, could depend on whether House offices hear from constituents asking them to attend. The coalition will provide members with information on making contact with their congressman's office in early July.

The coalition held a similar briefing for Senate staffers in May.

Studies have shown that mandatory coverage would eliminate only about one-tenth of Social Security's 75-year shortfall while costing states and localities about $44 billion over five years, an expense that could lead to cuts in government services or increases in taxes.

Members are asked to notify the coalition at (703) 684-5236 or rhawkins@lgva.net when they have contacted representatives' offices.