WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Treasury Department answered his call to reject the Central States Pension Fund’s application to make massive cuts to retirees earned pensions. Brown repeatedly called on the Treasury Department to reject the cuts in order to protect the earned benefits of thousands of Ohioans.

“Thousands of Teamsters from Ohio and across the country stood at the Capitol last month and told Treasury to stop these cuts. Today we learned that Treasury heard that message loud and clear,” said Brown. “I’m pleased the Treasury Department heard our repeated calls and rejected Central States’ application. While we celebrate today’s decision, we must also look toward a comprehensive solution that will save Central States and keep the promises made to our retirees.”

Production quality video of Brown’s statement is available HERE.

Last month at the U.S. Capitol, Brown rallied with Teamsters against the cuts. Brown wrote to the Treasury Department in February and again in April, asking Treasury to reject the cuts. Brown is a cosponsor of the Keep Our Pension Promise Act of 2015 to repeal the benefits suspension provisions of the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA). Brown is also a cosponsor of the Pension Fund Integrity Act of 2016, which would cut pay and prevent raises and bonuses for top pension fund executives if retirees’ benefits are cut.

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