[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 20 (Friday, February 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E117-E118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSION ON AMERICANS LIVING ABROAD ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 8, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, our 4-6 million 
constituents scattered across the world promote our culture and 
strengthen our nation's global influence as they live and work abroad. 
For years I have worked to ensure that overseas Americans can fully 
exercise their rights as U.S. citizens by having their voices heard 
loud and clear by Congress. Five years ago, I formed the Congressional 
Americans Abroad Caucus because I wanted to bring awareness and focus 
to the concerns of those residing abroad. U.S. citizens remain just 
that, citizens, regardless of

[[Page E118]]

where they choose to live and should not be ignored by virtue of 
residence.
  Our constituents living and working abroad have consistently voiced 
concerns about the impact federal policymaking has on the issues 
directly affecting them like voting, immigration, access to financial 
institutions, and taxation. The time has come to take a look at the 
importance of federal policies for our overseas community rather than 
continuing to ignore the calls from our abroad constituents. That is 
why today I am introducing the Commission on Americans Living Abroad 
Act, which creates an Executive Commission with the main purpose of 
examining those concerns. The Commission creates a 15 member panel to 
examine the impact of federal policymaking on U.S. citizens abroad. The 
resulting study would then be used by Congress and the Executive Branch 
when considering the best steps we can take to engage the abroad 
community and ensure their voices are heard. This process will ensure 
clearer awareness of the federal issues impacting Americans abroad and 
will open a path for coordination with those communities towards more 
robust representation.
  We must take a real and comprehensive look at how we, as Members of 
Congress, respond to U.S. citizens living abroad. Each of our 
constituents has a right to have their interests represented and to 
have a role in the political process. The Commission on Americans 
Living Abroad would establish a foundation from which we can work to 
better serve the needs of our global constituents. I welcome and urge 
my colleagues to lend their support to this bill.

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