[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 92 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1501-E1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCING EVACUEES TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2009

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2009

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Evacuees Tax Relief 
Act of 2009, 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.
  Just last year, the majority of my district, including my home 
county, was subject to mandatory evacuation because of Hurricane Ike. 
Therefore, I have firsthand experience with the burdens faced by those 
forced to uproot themselves and their families because of a natural 
disaster. 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, with the 2009 hurricane season now upon us, 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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