[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 28196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     EXTENDING FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT TO MILITARY FAMILIES

  (Mr. HALL of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HALL of New York. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to 
speak today about a very important issue for our Nation's military 
families. On November 6, President Obama signed into law the Worker, 
Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which included an 
extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. This credit 
offers a special rule for servicemembers who have served on extended 
overseas duties since the end of 2008.
  Those serving on extended duty outside the United States for at least 
90 days between December 31, 2008, and May 1, 2010, qualify for an 
additional 1-year extension through May 1, 2011, of the $8,000 first-
time homebuyer credit. We should not penalize those serving our country 
overseas. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this provision in the 
House of Representatives.
  Extending this credit gives our servicemembers abroad the latitude 
necessary to take advantage of this important provision while 
readjusting to civilian life back here in the United States.

                          ____________________