[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23461]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4520, AMERICAN JOBS CREATION ACT OF 2004

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                               speech of

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to reiterate my 
position regarding charitable donations of automobiles. I believe that 
the language of the conference report will have serious ramifications, 
burdening charitable organizations and precluding taxpayers from 
donating their used automobiles to said organizations. The Conference 
Committee chose to adopt the Senate proposal, which requires donors to 
wait until the vehicle is sold and then deduct only the amount of the 
sale. This is burdensome not only to the donor but also to the charity.
  Prior to enactment of this legislation, those who donate their cars 
can deduct amounts based on fair market value. An appraisal is needed 
only for cars valued above $5,000. I believe that this is the most 
judicious manner of treating vehicle donations and it is my contention 
that by altering this provision, Congress will be placing unreasonable 
new burdens on taxpayers, discouraging charitable donations, and 
hindering charitable organizations from providing much-needed benefits 
to their recipients.

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