[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCING THE EVACUEES TAX RELIEF ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Evacuees Tax Relief 
Act of 2008, legislation providing tax relief to those forced to 
abandon their homes because of a natural disaster. This legislation 
provides a tax credit or a tax deduction, depending on the wishes of 
the taxpayer, of up to $5,000 for costs incurred because of a 
government-ordered mandatory or voluntary evacuation. Evacuees could 
use the credit to cover travel and lodging expenses associated with the 
evacuation, lost wages, property damages not otherwise compensated, and 
any other evacuation-related expenses. The tax credit is refundable up 
to the amount of income and payroll taxes a person would otherwise pay, 
thus ensuring working people who pay more in payroll than in income 
taxes are able to benefit from this tax relief. The credit is available 
retroactive to December of 2007, so it is available to Hurricane Ike 
evacuees, as well as those who evacuated because of Hurricanes Gustav 
and Dolly.
  Having recently had the majority of my district, including my home 
county, subject to mandatory evacuation because of Hurricane Ike, I 
have experienced firsthand the burdens on those forced to uproot 
themselves and their families. Evacuees incur great costs in getting to 
safety, as well as loss from the storm damage. It can take many months, 
and even years, to fully recover from the devastation of a natural 
disaster. Given the unpredictable nature of natural disasters such as 
hurricanes and tornados, it is difficult for most families to 
adequately budget for these costs. The Evacuees Tax Relief Act helps 
Americans manage the fiscal costs of a natural disaster.
  Madam Speaker, it is hard to think of a more timely and more 
compassionate tax relief proposal than one aimed at helping families 
cope with the costs associated with being uprooted from their homes, 
jobs, and communities by a natural disaster. I hope all my colleagues 
will show compassion for those forced to flee their homes by 
cosponsoring the Evacuees Tax Relief Act.

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