[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 91 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMISSION ON AMERICANS LIVING ABROAD ACT OF 2017

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, there are an 
estimated 8 million constituents scattered across the world who promote 
our culture and values while strengthening 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. Eight 
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 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 policies have on them like voting, 
immigration, access to financial institutions, and taxation. The time 
has come to comprehensively study and address the effects of federal 
policies on Americans living overseas.
  That is why today I am reintroducing the Commission on Americans 
Living Abroad Act, which creates an Executive Commission with the main 
purpose of examining those concerns. The Commission creates a 10 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 bring clearer awareness of the federal issues impacting Americans 
abroad and will open a path for coordination with those communities 
towards more robust representation.
  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.

                          ____________________