[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 15, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     JODI READINGER, A TAX PREPARER

  (Ms. HOULAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise for Jodi Readinger, a tax 
preparer in Pennsylvania's Sixth District. She and her organization, 
the Berks Community Action Program, provide a range of services to over 
2,500 low-income individuals and families in my community. For example, 
her team works for free to help people navigate the complicated process 
of filing their taxes.
  During a weekend town hall in Berks County this weekend, Jodi shared 
with me that she has been unable to reach the IRS to access tax 
preparation software due to the shutdown. Her work is responsible for 
bringing $1 million worth of tax refunds back to my community and for 
saving $80,000 for her customers.
  I am a third generation veteran. Border protection is imperative and 
a real issue. I am certain that there are measures to protect our 
borders that we can come to an agreement on in this brand-new Congress, 
but a shutdown is not the answer.
  Madam Speaker, I rise for the people like Jodi, because shutting down 
the government is failed policy.

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