[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1964-H1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMED FORCES TAX FAIRNESS ACT OF 2003
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1307) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide
a special rule for members of the uniformed services in determining the
exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence and to restore
the tax exempt status of death gratuity payments to members of the
uniformed services, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1307
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Armed
Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003''.
(b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is
expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered
to be made to a
[[Page H1965]]
section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
SEC. 2. SPECIAL RULE FOR MEMBERS OF UNIFORMED SERVICES IN
DETERMINING EXCLUSION OF GAIN FROM SALE OF
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 121 (relating to
exclusion of gain from sale of principal residence) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(10) Members of uniformed services.--
``(A) In general.--At the election of an individual with
respect to a property, the running of the 5-year period
referred to in subsections (a) and (c)(1)(B) and paragraph
(7) of this subsection with respect to such property shall be
suspended during any period that such individual or such
individual's spouse is serving on qualified official extended
duty as a member of the uniformed services.
``(B) Maximum period of suspension.--Such 5-year period
shall not be extended more than 5 years by reason of
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Qualified official extended duty.--For purposes of
this paragraph--
``(i) In general.--The term `qualified official extended
duty' means any extended duty while serving at a duty station
which is at least 150 miles from such property or while
residing under Government orders in Government quarters.
``(ii) Uniformed services.--The term `uniformed services'
has the meaning given such term by section 101(a)(5) of title
10, United States Code, as in effect on the date of the
enactment of this paragraph.
``(iii) Extended duty.--The term `extended duty' means any
period of active duty pursuant to a call or order to such
duty for a period in excess of 180 days or for an indefinite
period.
``(D) Special rules relating to election.--
``(i) Election limited to 1 property at a time.--An
election under subparagraph (A) with respect to any property
may not be made if such an election is in effect with respect
to any other property.
``(ii) Revocation of election.--An election under
subparagraph (A) may be revoked at any time.''.
(b) Effective Date; Special Rule.--
(1) Effective date.--The amendment made by this section
shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by
section 312 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.
(2) Waiver of limitations.--If refund or credit of any
overpayment of tax resulting from the amendment made by this
section is prevented at any time before the close of the 1-
year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res
judicata), such refund or credit may nevertheless be made or
allowed if claim therefor is filed before the close of such
period.
SEC. 3. RESTORATION OF FULL EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME OF
DEATH GRATUITY PAYMENT.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (3) of section 134(b) (relating
to qualified military benefit) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) Exception for death gratuity adjustments made by
law.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any adjustment to
the amount of death gratuity payable under chapter 75 of
title 10, United States Code, which is pursuant to a
provision of law enacted before December 31, 1991.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 134(b)(3)(A) is amended
by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (B) and (C)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to deaths occurring after September
10, 2001.
SEC. 4. EXCLUSION FOR AMOUNTS RECEIVED UNDER DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 132 (relating to
certain fringe benefits) is amended by striking ``or'' at the
end of paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end of
paragraph (7) and inserting ``, or'' and by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
``(8) qualified military base realignment and closure
fringe.''.
(b) Qualified Military Base Realignment and Closure
Fringe.--Section 132 is amended by redesignating subsection
(n) as subsection (o) and by inserting after subsection (m)
the following new subsection:
``(n) Qualified Military Base Realignment and Closure
Fringe.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
`qualified military base realignment and closure fringe'
means 1 or more payments under the authority of section 1013
of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act
of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) (as in effect on the date of the
enactment of this subsection).
``(2) Limitation.--With respect to any property, such term
shall not include any payment referred to in paragraph (1) to
the extent that the sum of all such payments related to such
property exceeds the amount described in clause (1) of
subsection (c) of such section (as in effect on such
date).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to payments made after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF COMBAT ZONE FILING RULES TO CONTINGENCY
OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 7508 (relating
to time for performing certain acts postponed by reason of
service in combat zone) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``or when deployed outside the United
States away from the individual's permanent duty station
while participating in an operation designated by the
Secretary of Defense as a contingency operation (as defined
in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code) or
which became such a contingency operation by operation of
law'' after ``section 112'',
(2) by inserting in the first sentence ``or at any time
during the period of such contingency operation'' after ``for
purposes of such section'',
(3) by inserting ``or operation'' after ``such an area'',
and
(4) by inserting ``or operation'' after ``such area''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 7508(d) is amended by inserting ``or
contingency operation'' after ``area''.
(2) The heading for section 7508 is amended by inserting
``OR CONTINGENCY OPERATION'' after ``COMBAT ZONE''.
(3) The item relating to section 7508 in the table of
sections for chapter 77 is amended by inserting ``or
contingency operation'' after ``combat zone''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to any period for performing an act which has not
expired before the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR EXEMPTION
FROM TAX FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 501(c)(19)
(relating to list of exempt organizations) is amended by
striking ``or widowers'' and inserting ``, widowers,
ancestors, or lineal descendants''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. CLARIFICATION OF THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN DEPENDENT
CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 134 (defining
qualified military benefit) is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
``(4) Clarification of certain benefits.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), such term includes any dependent care
assistance program (as in effect on the date of the
enactment of this paragraph) for any individual described
in paragraph (1)(A).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 134(b)(3)(A) (as amended by section 102) is
further amended by inserting ``and paragraph (4)'' after
``subparagraphs (B) and (C)''.
(2) Section 3121(a)(18) is amended by striking ``or 129''
and inserting ``, 129, or 134(b)(4)''.
(3) Section 3306(b)(13) is amended by striking ``or 129''
and inserting ``, 129, or 134(b)(4)''.
(4) Section 3401(a)(18) is amended by striking ``or 129''
and inserting ``, 129, or 134(b)(4)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
2002.
SEC. 8. CLARIFICATION RELATING TO EXCEPTION FROM ADDITIONAL
TAX ON CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS FROM QUALIFIED
TUITION PROGRAMS, ETC., ON ACCOUNT OF
ATTENDANCE AT MILITARY ACADEMY.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 530(d)(4)
(relating to exceptions from additional tax for distributions
not used for educational purposes) is amended by striking
``or'' at the end of clause (iii), by redesignating clause
(iv) as clause (v), and by inserting after clause (iii) the
following new clause:
``(iv) made on account of the attendance of the designated
beneficiary at the United States Military Academy, the United
States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy,
the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States
Merchant Marine Academy, to the extent that the amount of the
payment or distribution does not exceed the costs of advanced
education (as defined by section 2005(e)(3) of title 10,
United States Code, as in effect on the date of the enactment
of this section) attributable to such attendance, or''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section
shall take effect for taxable years beginning after December
31, 2002.
SEC. 9. ABOVE-THE-LINE DEDUCTION FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL
EXPENSES OF NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MEMBERS.
(a) Deduction Allowed.--Section 162 (relating to certain
trade or business expenses) is amended by redesignating
subsection (p) as subsection (q) and inserting after
subsection (o) the following new subsection:
``(p) Treatment of Expenses of Members of Reserve Component
of Armed Forces of the United States.--For purposes of
subsection (a)(2), in the case of an individual who performs
services as a member of a reserve component of the Armed
Forces of the United States at any time during the taxable
year, such individual shall be deemed to be away from home in
the pursuit of a trade or business for any period during
which such individual is away from home in connection with
such services.''.
(b) Deduction Allowed Whether or Not Taxpayer Elects To
Itemize.--Paragraph (2) of section 62(a) (relating to certain
trade and business deductions of employees) is
[[Page H1966]]
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(E) Certain expenses of members of reserve components of
the armed forces of the united states.--The deductions
allowed by section 162 which consist of expenses, not in
excess of $1,500, paid or incurred by the taxpayer in
connection with the performance of services by such taxpayer
as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the
United States for any period during which such individual is
more than 100 miles away from home in connection with such
services.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2002.
SEC. 10. PROTECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY.
The amounts transferred to any trust fund under title II of
the Social Security Act shall be determined as if this Act
(other than this section) had not been enacted.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This particular provision is called the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act
of 2003, and a couple of examples, I think, will make it quite obvious
as to why it is the tax fairness part of the title that we should focus
on. As we now know for some years now, you have been able to exclude
the capital gain on a home if you lived in that home as your principal
residence for 24 months out of a 5-year period. Of course, we all know
that the military as to where they live is subject to the exigencies of
the world and the need for military personnel to be dispersed sometimes
literally around the world. I think it is entirely appropriate to
examine this kind of a piece of legislation in the context of where we
are vis-a-vis the President's decision to perhaps move militarily
against Iraq.
So what this says is that if, in fact, you are not able to meet that
24-months-out-of-5-year period for exclusion from the capital gains,
and the reason you are not able to is because you have been transferred
away from home on official extended duty during that 5-year period, you
would be exempt from that regulation.
There follow a series of other changes in the Tax Code that very much
are representative of that kind of approach in treating the military
differently because the military does not have the ability at times,
the individuals in the military, to control decisions that affect them
directly.
That is the purpose of the bill. It is as it was originally
introduced. For purposes of determining the above-the-line deduction
for overnight travel expenses for military reservists, this bill, as
some people know, passed the House twice in the last Congress, and in
negotiating with the Senate, the agreement at that time was that the
exemption should be up to $1,500 for reservists who serve more than 100
miles away from home. That was an agreement that had been negotiated
between the House and the Senate, and this particular bill includes
that agreement so that we could reach quick settlement in a conference
between the House and the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this suspension bill and congratulate the
chairman of the committee for taking the bulbs and baubles and whistles
off the Christmas tree that they stacked on this bill initially. I am
disappointed that we were not able to do more for our reservists, but I
am pleased that we are doing more than they had originally thought on
the other side of the aisle. And I am glad to see that we are bringing
a clean bill to the floor and that is not bogged down with fish tackle
boxes and foreign bettors on horse races.
I do hope during these very sober hours and days that the majority
will think more and more about how we can be of assistance to those
brave men and women who have volunteered or who are in the Reserve to
see what we can do to not only give them political support, but
legislatively to give them real support for the dedication that they
continuously show not only in defense of this great country, but now in
following the mandates of the President.
I would like to say that during time of war, we have become
historically accustomed to the fact that we share sacrifices. Soon our
chairman will be presenting to us an obscene tax bill that is anything
but sacrifice, but would reward the wealthy. I do hope that as the
House has caused the committee's leadership to change its mind and try
to do things fairly, that we will see a change in attitude as this
country is on the brink of war where shared sacrifice means exactly
what the President said it would mean, and that is that we all be
prepared to give support.
I support the Armed Forces tax fairness bill. I do hope we will see
more bills of this kind in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he
may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), who has a
measure included in this bill, which was a separate bill, which is a
significant piece of legislation.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as Members know, I
represent the Third District of North Carolina, which is the home of
Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. A
bill that I introduced, H.R. 693, the Military Death Gratuity
Improvement Act, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member
for including that bill, or the language from that bill, into this
major bill that I think is of great benefit to our men and women in
uniform.
{time} 1100
I would like to give very briefly the history of this provision
because the death gratuity was reaffirmed as a tax free benefit when
the Congress amended the Tax Code in 1986; and about a year ago I
happened to be driving back to the Congress, and I was listening to a
talk show and they were talking about how the fact that our men and
women in uniform who received the death gratuity, should they die while
serving this Nation, that the families are taxed; and to the chairman
and ranking member, this just really bothered my heart, to be honest
about it.
So I called my staff and I asked John Weaver if he would look into
this, and I thought there must have been some mistake along the way.
And actually there was and when the mistake took place was in 1991 when
the Congress actually increased the death gratuity from $3,000 to
$6,000; and what happened was the Committee on Armed Services did not
send the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means, so therefore there
was a tax on the second $3,000. And Mr. Speaker and Members of the
Congress, as our wonderful men and women in uniform are ready to go to
war and to die for this country, I think this is an excellent bill not
just because of this provision but because of the other provisions in
this major bill that will help our men and women in uniform. So by the
passage of this bill today, we are taking the tax off the death
gratuity when the government says to the families of those who have
lost loved ones that they are receiving this small amount, but yet
important amount, of $6,000, that they will not get a bill from the IRS
at the end of the year.
So with that I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for
including the language from H.R. 693, the Military Death Gratuity
Improvement Act, in this bill to help our men and women in uniform.
This is just a small portion of the bill, but I thank them very much.
Let me say in closing, Mr. Speaker, to the chairman and the ranking
member that the men and women in my district, and again it is Camp
Lejeune, Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson Air Force base, are very
appreciative of how we have worked together to bring this bill forward
to help our men and women in uniform. So with that I thank the chairman
for yielding me this time and God bless America.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cardin), an outstanding member of the Committee on Ways
and Means.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Rangel) for yielding me this time.
I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), our
chairman, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), ranking member,
for developing a process where we could act quickly on this bill. I
think this is the
[[Page H1967]]
first of, I am sure, other actions that we will be able to do as a body
to show our support for the men and women that are in harm's way that
are ready to answer the call of our Nation. I think all of us want to
do everything we can here to support our troops, as today they are
ready to act on behalf of our Nation.
I also want to thank the chairman and ranking member for including
the provision in here that was brought to our attention from those
families of students that are in our military academies. I have the
honor of representing Annapolis where the Naval Academy is located.
There was a provision in our code that discriminated against families
of those that were in the academies in their ability to withdraw moneys
from educational savings accounts without penalty. So I want to thank
them for including that provision. There are many other provisions in
there bill that provide equity for those who serve in our military, and
I know all of us are going to show strong support for this legislation.
I just really want to express my appreciation to the chairman and
ranking member.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton), a member of the Committee
on Ways and Means.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just make a few comments
on H.R. 1307, and of course ask my colleagues to support it.
Last summer I introduced a bill that contained two of the present
provisions, very modest. The bill increased the tax-free death benefit
from $3,000 to $6,000 to members of our Armed Forces. Second, the bill
made a change to allow members of the Armed Forces to have the 5-year
rule, the so-called 5-year rule, deferred during the period they are
assigned away from their principal residence. What this does is to
allow individuals to take advantage of the law that excludes gain on
the sale of a residence up to $250,000 or $500,000 per couple and if
they resided in the property for 2 of the 5 years preceding the sale,
and that was that. The bill passed the House. Both of these provisions
are in and are part of H.R. 1307. The bill also expands the definition
of ``member'' to include ancestors and lineal descendants for purposes
of certain requirements of tax-exempt veterans organizations. These are
all good changes. I recommend them. I support them.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member of the Committee on Armed
Services on the Democratic side.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member recognizing
me on this very important bill, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of
2003. So I rise in support of this bill which is much-needed tax relief
for our men and women in uniform. And although there was some delay, I
am glad that the majority has agreed to remove the extraneous
amendments and bring a clean bill to the floor, and we thank them for
that. A bill to provide tax relief for brave men and women is not the
appropriate vehicle for extraneous amendments.
I hope that this bill will now be able to move forward expeditiously
so that our servicemen and women, particularly those in the Guard and
Reserve, will be able to receive meaningful and proper tax relief.
Since the end of the Persian Gulf conflict in 1991, our reliance on
the Reserve components has steadily increased. In 1993, for example,
Reservists and National Guardsmen provided 5.7 million man-days' worth
of support to our military. In the wake of the attacks on September 11,
2001, Reservists provided more than 41 million man-days of support to
meet military requirements, primarily because of operations Noble
Eagle, which of course is protecting the United States, and Enduring
Freedom, which was liberating Afghanistan. The demands on our
Reservists to participate in military operational missions have more
than doubled in recent years.
The global war on terrorism has also increased burden on the Reserves
and National Guard. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11,
some 85,500 Reserve and National Guardsmen personnel were mobilized for
active duty. Thousands were sent to guard our Nation's airports. This
provided security for bridges and power plants and water treatment
facilities and other important infrastructures that are vital to the
American economy. Today, more than 50,000 Reservists still remain
mobilized for the global war on terrorism, and almost 20,000
Reservists, and I will say there again, almost 20,000 Reservists face a
second year of involuntary active duty.
The last several months have seen the number of mobilized Reservists
soar to over 120,000 to meet potential demands for our conflict in
Iraq, and these numbers continue to rise daily. Allowing travel expense
deductions for Reservists is the least we can do for these brave men
and women.
Last year the House and the Senate passed similar tax measures to
support the troops. In the waning days of the Congress, the measure was
tied up by extraneous provisions, which ultimately led to its demise
before adjournment. On the eve of our Nation going to war, and that is
what we are going to do, I urge my colleagues to support this measure
so that we can move forward in ultimately adopting a bill that will
provide significant tax relief for those who wear the uniform of the
United States of America.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I agree with the gentleman from Missouri that the House and the
Senate have indeed acted, but not in concert and let the Record note
that the House acted in July and again in October. That perhaps was not
enough lead time for the Senate; so we are moving in March, and we
believe that may be sufficient lead time for the Senate to be able to
act.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Foley), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Thomas) for bringing this very important bill, H.R. 1307, to the floor,
the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act. I am pleased to have played a part
in the Committee on Ways and Means and delighted it is here on the
floor today.
Our forces will soon be engaging the enemy. We pray for their safety
and also for a quick and decisive victory. We have about a quarter of a
million of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines poised for combat
in the Middle East. In addition, thousands upon thousands of our
military personnel are patrolling our skies, protecting key domestic
sites, and fighting the war on terror both here at home and abroad. Our
military families, active duty, the Reserves, and the National Guard
are feeling increased pressure from frequent and longer deployments.
This legislation brings tax relief and fairness to those who are
protecting our freedoms.
I would like to focus quickly, if I may, on the Reserve component.
One of the most important provisions of this bill would provide a
$1,500 above-the-line deduction for their nonreimbursable overnight
travel expenses. Let me underscore these travel expenses are not just
for casual jaunts. These are for them to do their training required of
them by this government so that they will be ready in fact to provide
the backup needed for our active duty troops. Many give up time from
their families, certainly leaving their loved ones, to be ready to
combat the evil that may occur in this country or in fact abroad.
For too long our Reservists have incurred significant out-of-pocket
costs associated with traveling to and from their Reserve stations. Our
men and women in uniform should not be financially punished for serving
their country, and thankfully this legislation fixes that problem. Our
men and women in uniform deserve nothing less, and again I reiterate
our prayers today go out to all families and particularly those who are
in harm's way as they lead freedom in Iraq and certainly lead us away
from terror in the United States.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. McNulty), an outstanding member of the Committee on Ways and
Means.
Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rangel), my friend and colleague, for yielding me this time.
As I have said many times on this floor, as I get older, I try to
keep my
[[Page H1968]]
priorities straight. And part of that is to remember that had it not
been for all of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the
United States military through the years, people like me would not have
the privilege of going around bragging about how we live in the freest
and most open democracy on the face of the Earth. Freedom is not free.
We have paid a tremendous price for it. And I try not to let a day go
by without remembering with deepest gratitude all of those who, like my
own brother Bill McNulty, made the supreme sacrifice; and all of those
who served and put their lives on the line like the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Rangel), like the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson),
like other people in this Chamber. Thankfully they came back home and
rendered outstanding service in the community and raised beautiful
families to carry on in their fine traditions. We all should be deeply
grateful for that. And that is why when I get up in the morning, my
first two priorities are to thank God for my life, and then veterans
for my way of life.
Today more than a quarter of a million brave Americans are overseas
poised for military action. Let us remember them in our thoughts and
prayers every day. This proposal is a very modest proposal; but it is
well earned, it is deserved, and I am deeply grateful to the chairman
of the committee and the ranking member for bringing it to the floor. I
urge all members to support it.
____________________