[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CLERGY HOUSING ALLOWANCE CLARIFICATION ACT

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong 
support for the passage of the Clergy Housing Allowance Clarification 
Act. This important legislation, of which I am a proud cosponsor, will 
affect the thousands of clergy throughout this country who tirelessly 
work for so many of us with little regard for their own financial well-
being.
  I have heard from countless Arkansans who are very concerned that if 
this legislation is not enacted, the 81-year-old housing tax exclusion 
for members of the clergy could be eliminated. This in turn would force 
a devastating tax increase on the many American clergy who can little 
afford to take on such a large financial burden.
  I believe that this legislation needs to be passed today to ensure 
that clergy of all faiths and denominations can continue to receive the 
parsonage housing allowance exclusion. This bipartisan legislation was 
passed overwhelmingly in the House by a vote of 408 to 0, and I applaud 
my colleagues in the Senate for seeing fit to pass this bill with equal 
support today.

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