[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 15, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RESTORING TAX-FREE COMMUTER BENEFITS

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, my district includes the north and west 
suburbs of Chicago. Our area has the second highest percentage of 
commuters in the country.
  Many of my constituents currently receive employer-sponsored transit 
benefits for commuting costs like parking and train tickets. Last year 
this benefit was cut in half for public transit commuters, and I fought 
hard throughout 2012 for that benefit to be restored.
  I am thankful that it is now law that employers may provide up to 
$245 a month for their employees as a transit or van pool benefit tax-
free. This is good for both employees and employers. Now neither of 
them will be taxed on that money, and employees will be encouraged to 
use the public transportation options. I'm glad that Congress has 
restored this important benefit.

                          ____________________