JOSH CLAIMS:  Sherrod Brown stripped the Delphi retirees of their pensions with his vote on the auto rescue.

THE TRUTH:  Sherrod has worked tirelessly since 2009 with his colleagues and the Delphi Salaries Retirees Association to make their pensions whole.

1. Sherrod Brown blocked the nomination of Joshua Gotbaum as Director of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. because he objected to how Delphi Corp.’s Salaried Retirees had been treated. [Detroit News, 7/07/10]

2. Sherrod introduced a bill to help fund the Delphi Retirees’ lost pensions. [WYTV, 9/13/12]

Sen. Brown Blocked The Nomination Of Joshua Gotbaum As Director Of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. Because He Objected To How Delphi Corp.’s Salaried Retirees Had Been Treated.  In July 2010, The Detroit News wrote “The White House confirmed late Tuesday that President Barack Obama would bypass the Senate and install his choice to head the government’s pension insurer.   In May, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, blocked the nomination of Joshua Gotbaum to serve as director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. because he objects to how Delphi Corp.’s salaried retirees have been treated with the company’s termination of its pension plans last year.”  [Detroit News, 7/07/10]

Brown Announced Legislation That Would Fund The Lost Pensions And Benefits For Thousands Of Delphi Retirees.  In September 2012, WYTV wrote “Two Ohio lawmakers said they’ve come up with a plan to help fund the lost pensions and benefits for thousands of salaried retirees from Delphi. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said he and Valley Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Niles, have introduced legislation directing revenues raised through the eventual sale of the government’s stake in General Motors stock to be used to fund pensions for retirees.”  [WYTV, 9/13/12]

Below is a timeline of Brown and Ryan’s work to defend Delphi retirees. [Sen. Brown Press Release, 9/13/12]

• September 2009 –Brown and U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan (OH-17), Mike Turner (OH-3), and others introduce legislation to create a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) to provide health coverage to Delphi and union hourly workers.
• October 2009 –Brown invites representative of DSRA to testify before a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
• December 2009 –Brown testifies on behalf of Delphi retirees before House pensions committee.
• February 24, 2010 –Brown and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) lead congressional delegation letter calling on President Obama to restore pensions for DSRA.
• February 25, 2010 –Brown and U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-MI), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act that would stop failing businesses from denying employees the wages they have earned and retirees the pensions they were promised. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14).
• May 2010 –Brown places a “hold” on President Obama’s nomination of Josh Gotbaum as Director of the the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), effectively blocking his confirmation. While Gotbaum received a recess appointment in July 2010, Brown’s actions encouraged Administration officials to meet with Delphi retirees.
• December 20, 2010 –Brown strikes last-minute deal with Senate Republicans to extend vital Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for Delphi retirees through the holiday season before passing long-term extension of HCTC in October 2011.
• May 2, 2011 –Brown leads letter to PBGC Director Gotbaum regarding distribution of pension benefits to Delphi retirees.
• October 2011 –Brown leads Senate passage of Trade Adjustment Assistance and HCTC extension, which provides 65 percent health coverage rebate for Delphi retirees who enroll in the program, through January 1, 2014.
• November 22, 2011 –Brown and Ryan send detailed questions to PBGC Director Gotbaum regarding PBGC liabilities and to seek a fair resolution.
• July 9, 2012 –Brown and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) send President Obama letter urging a review of DSRA settlement proposal.
• July 12, 2012 –Brown, Durbin, Franken, Harkin, U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduce the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2012.
• August 20, 2012 –Brown joins U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and others in letter to PBGC Director Gotbaum on behalf of DSRA seeking PBGC meet again with DSRA to seek resolution.
• September 2012 –Brown announces new legislation to require certain proceeds from sale of government GM stock towards Delphi pensions.