[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JONES:
  S. 1708. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
establish a refundable tax credit for the installation of a storm 
shelter at a qualified residence; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. JONES. Mr. President, the second bill I have introduced today 
would create a one-time refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for 
homeowners to build or purchase a storm shelter for their home. It 
would ensure that people won't have to travel dangerous distances to 
seek shelter in the event of sudden severe weather.
  Alabamians know all too well that extreme weather can strike at any 
time, especially now as we move from the spring tornado season into the 
summer hurricane season. That is why I want to use this opportunity 
today to urge every single one of my colleagues to support these bills 
and these efforts so that all of our communities can be better prepared 
when natural disasters strike, and they will.
  In Lee County, I have been discussing with local officials these two 
bills, which are just a step. They are obvious steps to me. Not 
everybody can afford to buy a storm shelter, so the tax credit would 
not be available. So, working with the Lee County M.A. and officials on 
the ground, we are trying to learn best practices. What can we better 
do to harden those areas where people live in the rural communities so 
they will not lose their lives, much less all of their possessions? 
That is what we are planning to do, and the two bills today are first 
steps.
  I sincerely hope going forward that helping fellow Americans who have 
suffered disasters will no longer be the partisan issue that it 
suddenly became this year and that we can get back to the business of 
taking care of our citizens and those who have sent us here to 
represent them.
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