Just How Many Republicans Are Seeking Tax Loopholes?
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 -- So here's the fly in the ointment.
As President Trump used a campaign-like stop in Missouri today to herald his revitalized approach to reform the U.S. Tax Code by abiding by four simple principals, he singled out Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, one of the senior Republicans in the United States Senate. Blunt was sitting front-row center, and in his remarks, Trump called on Congress to improve its own ratings by moving expeditiously to clean up the tax code.
The President said that the code now has more than 2,600 pages of fine print, much of it not clear to the average taxpayer. He wants it fixed and he wants the many loopholes eliminated. By name, he singled out Sen. Claire McCaskell, D-Missouri, and said if she can't help fix the tax code, she should be voted out of office.
So here's the rub, the fly that lands in that political ointment. Blunt is among scores of Senate Republicans, in addition to more than 100 House Republicans, to have filed legislation this year to add more lines, loopholes and conditions to the U.S. Tax Code rather than reform it.
Blunt, for example, has introduced legislation (S. 1469) "to extend tax incentives to permanently extend the special expensing rules for certain film, television, and live theatrical productions." The bill was introduced on June 28 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate Minority Leader, along with fellow Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. Blunt is also the prime sponsor of legislation (S. 384) to permanently extend the new markets tax credit. That legislation was also co-sponsored by Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
In Missouri, Trump said: "Our tax system should benefit loyal hard-working Americans and their families." His four goals: Simplifying the tax code; Eliminate special interest loopholes; Tax relief for middle class families; Cutting the corporate tax rate to keep business operations within the United States
"Our self-destructive tax code cost millions and millions of Americans jobs," Trump said. "I am fully committed to working with Congress to get this job done. And I don't want to be disappointed by Congress," he added, pointing to Blunt and other House members in the audience. "Do you understand me," he said, pointing.
Targeted News Service has gathered together legislation crafted by Republicans this year that would add to - rather than reform - the U.S. tax code, showing that the interest in creating more loopholes (or put another way, more benefits to a members constituency) is extensive.
Here's a look at the prime Republican sponsors, and their legislation.
- Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 480) "to allow qualified scholarship funding corporations to access tax-exempt financing for alternative private student loans." The bill was introduced on Jan. 12.
- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3431) "to allow the volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through the Fischer-Tropsch process." The bill was introduced on July 26 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Garret Graves, R-La., and Ralph Abraham, R-La.
- Rep. David G. Reichert, R-Wash., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3035) amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 "to exempt private foundations from the tax on excess business holdings in the case of certain philanthropic enterprises which are independently supervised." The bill was introduced on June 23 and has 12 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. John B. Larson, D-Conn., Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Tom Rice, R-S.C., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., George Holding, R-N.C., Jason Smith, R-Mo., Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., and Ken Calvert, R-Calif.
- Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2420) "to provide for tax preferred savings accounts for individuals under age 26." The bill was introduced on May 11.
- Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1734) "to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind." The bill was introduced on March 27 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., and Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.
- Rep. Dennis A. Ross, R-Fla., has introduced legislation (H.R. 615) "to include student loan repayers as members of targeted groups for purposes of the work opportunity credit and to provide for a credit against tax for student loan program startup costs." The bill was introduced on Jan. 23.
- Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2476) to provide for a refundable adoption tax credit. The bill was introduced on May 17 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Trent Franks, R-Ariz., and Karen Bass, D-Calif.
- Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3264) "to extend and modify certain tax incentives for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and alternative fuels." The bill was introduced on July 17 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., David Valadao, R-Calif., and Jim Costa, D-Calif.
- Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2870) to provide tax benefits for investments in gigabit opportunity zones. The bill was introduced on June 12 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees.
- Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., has introduced legislation (H.R. 819) "to prohibit aliens in an unlawful immigration status from claiming the earned income tax credit." The bill was introduced on Feb. 2 and has six co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, Jody Hice, R-Ga., Rick Allen, R-Ga., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
- Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2946) "to repeal the excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers." The bill was introduced on June 20 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla.
- Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1919) "to clarify eligibility for the child tax credit." The bill was introduced on April 5 and was co-sponsored by Reps. John Duncan, R-Tenn., Joe L. Barton, R-Texas, Glenn R Grothman, R-Wis., and Trent Franks, R-Ariz. For more information about this legislation, contact Rep. Drew Ferguson in Washington at 1032 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; 202/225-5901; or in the district office at 1601 E. Highway 34, Ste. B, Newnan, GA 30265; 770/683-2033.
- Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., has introduced a concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res. 10) "expressing the sense of the Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically and continue to provide critical benefits to Americans and U.S. communities." The resolution was introduced on Jan. 13 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis.
- Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1840) "to allow a credit against tax for clinical testing expenses for qualified infectious disease drugs and rapid diagnostic tests." The bill was introduced on March 30 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Gene Green, D-Texas, Timothy Walz, D-Minn., Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., and John Shimkus, R-Ill.
- Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2386) "to modify the tax rate for excise tax on investment income of private foundations." The bill was introduced on May 4 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, George Holding, R-N.C., and Rick Nolan, D-Minn. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Budget committees.
- Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3084) "to modify the tax treatment of certain equity grants." The bill was introduced on June 27 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.
- Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., has introduced legislation (H.R. 405) "to provide additional new markets tax credits for distressed coal communities." The bill was introduced on Jan. 10.
- Rep. George Holding, R-N.C., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1150) to repeal the excise tax on indoor tanning services. The bill was introduced on Feb. 16 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn.
- Rep. George Holding, R-N.C., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2293) "for purposes of the tax on private foundation excess business holdings to treat as outstanding any employee-owned stock purchased by a business enterprise pursuant to certain employee stock ownership retirement plans." The bill was introduced on May 2 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Sander M. Levin, D-Mich.
- Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1041) "to deny the refundable portion of the child tax credit to individuals who are not authorized to be employed in the United States and to terminate the use of certifying acceptance agents to facilitate the application process for ITINs." The bill was introduced on Feb. 14 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C.
- Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2183) "to provide a reduced excise tax rate for portable, electronically-aerated bait containers." The bill was introduced on April 27 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Charlie Crist, D-Fla.
- Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has introduced legislation (H.R. 296) "to exclude major professional sports leagues from qualifying as tax-exempt organizations." The bill was introduced on Jan. 5.
- Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has introduced legislation (H.R. 396) to "prohibit the award of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold to a potential contractor or grant applicant with a seriously delinquent tax debt, to amend title 5, U.S. Code, to provide that individuals having seriously delinquent tax debts shall be ineligible for Federal employment." The bill was introduced on Jan. 10. It was referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
- Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has introduced legislation (H.R. 397) to "require Members of Congress to disclose delinquent tax liability and to require an ethics inquiry into, and the garnishment of the wages of, a Member with Federal tax liability." The bill was introduced on Jan. 10. It was jointly referred to the House Administration and Rules committees.
- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3292) "to impose a mileage-based user fee for mobile mounted concrete boom pumps in lieu of the tax on taxable fuels." The bill was introduced on July 18 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Roger Williams, R-Texas, Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.
- Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1337) "to expand tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts to include rollovers for charitable life- income plans for charitable purposes." The bill was introduced on March 2 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Kristi L. Noem, R-S.D.
- Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3632) "to make the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit fully refundable." The bill was introduced on July 28 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Stephanie N. Murphy, D-Fla.
- Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1671) "to require the provision of social security numbers as a condition of receiving the health insurance premium tax credit." The bill was introduced on March 22 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas.
- Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2581) "to require the provision of social security numbers as a condition of receiving the health insurance premium tax credit." The bill was introduced on May 22 and has eight co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, Kristi L. Noem, R-S.D., Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., Mo Brooks, R-Ala., Mike Rogers, R-Ala., David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., and Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas. The legislation was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees.
- Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3145) to "provide the legal framework and income tax treatment necessary for the growth of innovative private financing options." The bill was introduced on June 29 and has seven co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Jared Polis, D-Colo., Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind., Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Randy Hultgren, R-Ill. The legislation was jointly referred to the House Financial Services, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees.
- Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., has introduced legislation (H.R. 363) "to clarify eligibility for the child tax credit." The bill was introduced on Jan. 6.
- Rep. Matthew Cartwright, D-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 488) "to allow a credit against income tax for amounts paid by a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces for a new State license or certification required by reason of a permanent change in the duty station of such member to another State" The bill was introduced on Jan. 12 and has 57 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Gerald E. Connolly, D-Va., Ryan Costello, R-Pa., Joe Courtney, D-Conn., Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, Keith Ellison, D-Minn., Eliot L. Engel, D-N.Y., Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, Bill Foster, D-Ill., Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, John Garamendi, D-Calif., Denny Heck, D-Wash., Jim Himes, D-Conn., Will Hurd, R-Texas, F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wis., Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., John Katko, R-N.Y., William R. Keating, D-Mass., Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., Leonard Lance, R-N.J., Jim Langevin, D-R.I., Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., Frank A. LoBiondo, R-N.J., David Loebsack, D-Iowa, Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., Stephen F. Lynch, D-Mass., James McGovern, D-Mass., David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., Steve Pearce, R-N.M., Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., Mike Quigley, D-Ill., Keith Rothfus, R-Pa., Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., Darren Soto, D-Fla., Jackie Speier, D-Calif., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Glenn W. Thompson, R-Pa., Scott R. Tipton, R-Colo., Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, Timothy Walz, D-Minn., David Young, R-Iowa, Roger W. Marshall, R-Kan., Steve Knight, R-Calif., Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Ga., and Steve Russell, R-Okla., and Dels. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D-Guam, Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Amata Radewagen, R-A.S.
- Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1040) "to provide taxpayers a flat tax alternative to the current income tax system." The bill was introduced on Feb. 14 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Rules committees.
- Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 286) "to exempt certain emergency medical devices from the excise tax on medical devices." The bill was introduced on Jan. 4 and was co-sponsored by Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2138) to "provide that members of the Armed Forces performing services in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt shall be entitled to tax benefits in the same manner as if such services were performed in a combat zone." The bill was introduced on April 25.
- Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Mich., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1393) to "limit the authority of States to tax certain income of employees for employment duties performed in other States." The bill was introduced on March 7 and has 23 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Henry C. Johnson, D-Ga., Jason Smith, R-Mo., Mark Walker, R-N.C., Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., Luke Messer, R-Ind., Will Hurd, R-Texas, Tom Rice, R-S.C., David N. Cicilline, D-R.I., Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., John Culberson, R-Texas, Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Thomas J. Rooney, R-Fla., Tom Marino, R-Pa., Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., and Charlie Crist, D-Fla. The legislation was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
- Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3379) "to provide for an increase in the earned income tax credit for individuals with no qualifying children." The bill was introduced on July 25 and was co-sponsored by Reps. David N. Cicilline, D-R.I., John J. Faso, R-N.Y., and Mark Takano, D-Calif.
- Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1158) to improve the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit. The bill was introduced on Feb. 16 and has 17 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Steven M. Palazzo, R-Miss., Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., Cedric L. Richmond, D-La., Terri A. Sewell, D-Ala., Gregg Harper, R-Miss., Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, David G. Reichert, R-Wash., Pete Sessions, R-Texas, Ron Kind, D-Wis., Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., James McGovern, D-Mass., Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio
- Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1543) to amend the Small Business Act "to expand tax credit education and training for small businesses that engage in research and development." The bill was introduced on March 15 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Small Business Committee.
- Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2618) "to provide further tax incentives for dependent care assistance." The bill was introduced on May 24 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-Calif.
- Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2916) to amend the Internal Revenue Code "to extend and modify certain charitable tax provisions." The bill was introduced on June 15 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.
- Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 960) "to provide for the tax-exempt financing of certain government-owned buildings." The bill was introduced on Feb. 7 and has eight co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., Will Hurd, R-Texas, Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., Scott Perry, R-Pa., Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, and Ron Kind, D-Wis.
- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., has introduced legislation (H.R. 359) "to provide for waivers of user fees imposed with respect to applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status of small, subsidiary tax-exempt organizations." The bill was introduced on Jan. 6.
- Rep. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1655) "to allow a credit against income tax for facilities using a qualified methane conversion technology to provide transportation fuels and chemicals." The bill was introduced on March 21 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Glenn W. Thompson, R-Pa., Brian Babin, R-Texas, and John B. Larson, D-Conn.
- Rep. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3395) "to allow tax free distributions from section 529 college savings plans for certain expenses associated with registered apprenticeship programs." The bill was introduced on July 25 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-N.J.
- Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1098) to permanently extend the new markets tax credit. The bill was introduced on Feb. 15 and has 21 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., Tom Reed, R-N.Y., Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., Ron Kind, D-Wis., Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., Jason Smith, R-Mo., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., Terri A. Sewell, D-Ala., John B. Larson, D-Conn., Linda T. Sanchez, D-Calif., Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, David Joyce, R-Ohio, Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, and Jim Renacci, R-Ohio.
- Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1262) "to clarify the tax treatment of certain life insurance contract transactions." The bill was introduced on Feb. 28 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis.
- Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2579) "to allow the premium tax credit with respect to unsubsidized COBRA continuation coverage." The bill was introduced on May 20.
- Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 614) to "require each owner of a dwelling unit assisted under the section 8 rental assistance voucher program to remain current with respect to local property and school taxes and to authorize a public housing agency to use such rental assistance amounts to pay such tax debt of such an owner." The bill was introduced on Jan. 23 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Patrick J. Tiberi, R-Ohio, Lou Barletta, R-Pa., and Ryan Costello, R-Pa. It was referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
- Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, R-N.C., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3090) "to prevent individuals receiving work authorizations under certain deferred action programs from being eligible for the earned income tax credit." The bill was introduced on June 28 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas.
- Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1425) "to provide a lower rate of tax on a portion of pass-through business income." The bill was introduced on March 8 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo.
- Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1866) "to disallow certain biodiesel and alternative fuel tax credits for fuels derived from animal fats." The bill was introduced on April 3.
- Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1400) "to authorize agricultural producers to establish and contribute to tax-exempt farm risk management accounts." The bill was introduced on March 7 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Ralph Abraham, R-La., Steven M. Palazzo, R-Miss., Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and J. French Hill, R-Ark.
- Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., has introduced legislation (H.R. 2399) to "allow employers a credit against income tax for employees who participate in qualified apprenticeship programs." The bill was introduced on May 8 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Tom MacArthur, R-N.J. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Oversight and Government Reform committees.
- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2078) "to simplify individual income and corporate tax rates, to set a maximum on the capital gains rate, to make permanent the deduction for dividends received for repatriated foreign earnings, to reduce the rate of payroll and self-employment taxes, to make 100 percent bonus depreciation permanent, and to repeal the Federal estate and gift taxes." The bill was introduced on April 6.
- Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2149) "to require inclusion of the taxpayer's social security number to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit." The bill was introduced on April 26.
- Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2372) "to clarify the rules relating to veteran health insurance and eligibility for the premium tax credit." The bill was introduced on May 4 and has 10 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Steve Knight, R-Calif., Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., David Schweikert, R-Ariz., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Kristi L. Noem, R-S.D., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, Mike Bishop, R-Mich., and Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan.
- Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 3483) "to require as a condition of the earned income tax credit that an individual be allowed to engage in employment in the United States." The bill was introduced on July 27.
- Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 2394) "to include fuel cells using electromechanical processes for purposes of the energy tax credit." The bill was introduced on May 4 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y.
- Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1600) "to make permanent the work opportunity tax credit for veterans and to allow an exemption from an employer's employment taxes in an amount equivalent to the value of such credit in the case of veterans." The bill was introduced on March 17.
- Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., has introduced legislation (H.R. 895) "to allow a credit against tax for qualified elementary and secondary education tuition." The bill was introduced on Feb. 6 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Luke Messer, R-Ind., and Trent Franks, R-Ariz. It was jointly referred to the House Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce committees.
- Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., has introduced legislation (H.R. 3061) "to allow employers a credit against income tax for employees who participate in qualified apprenticeship programs." The bill was introduced on June 26 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-Calif.
- Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation (H.R. 308) to "prevent proposed regulations relating to restrictions on liquidation of an interest with respect to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes from taking effect." The bill was introduced on Jan. 5 and has 26 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, Patrick J. Tiberi, R-Ohio, Dave Brat, R-Va., Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Ralph Abraham, R-La., Ann Wagner, R-Mo., Richard Hudson, R-N.C., Steve King, R-Iowa, Andy Barr, R-Ky., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Glenn W. Thompson, R-Pa., Roger W. Marshall, R-Kan., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio, Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., Tom McClintock, R-Calif., Scott R. Tipton, R-Colo., Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., Sean P. Duffy, R-Wis., Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, Andy Harris, R-Md., Greg Walden, R-Ore., Rodney Davis, R-Ill., Rod Blum, R-Iowa, and Mia Love, R-Utah .
SENATE BILLS
- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has introduced legislation (S. 230) "to allow a credit against income tax for facilities using a qualified methane conversion technology to provide transportation fuels and chemicals." The bill was introduced on Jan. 24.
- Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has introduced legislation (S. 48) "to allow a credit against income tax for the purchasing of hearing aids." The bill was introduced on Jan. 5 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt.
- Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has introduced legislation (S. 58) "to
repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage." The
bill was introduced on Jan. 9 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.
- Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., has introduced legislation (S. 732) "to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind." The bill was introduced on March 27 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md.
- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (S. 704) to "provide that members of the Armed Forces performing services in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt shall be entitled to tax benefits in the same manner as if such services were performed in a combat zone." The bill was introduced on March 23 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
- Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced legislation (S. 1343) to amend the Internal Revenue Code "to extend and modify certain charitable tax provisions." The bill was introduced on June 13 and has three co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pa., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
- Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has introduced legislation (S. 148) "to allow a credit against tax for qualified elementary and secondary education tuition." The bill was introduced on Jan. 17.
- Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has introduced a concurrent resolution (S.Con.Res. 7) "expressing the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically provided and continue to provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the U.S." The resolution was introduced on March 2 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
- Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (S. 1469) "to extend tax incentives to permanently extend the special expensing rules for certain film, television, and live theatrical productions." The bill was introduced on June 28 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Benjamin Cardin, D-Md.
- Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (S. 384) to permanently extend the new markets tax credit. The bill was introduced on Feb. 15 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has introduced legislation (S. 1013) to provide tax benefits for investments in gigabit opportunity zones. The bill was introduced on May 3.
- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has introduced legislation (S. 76) "to provide additional new markets tax credits for distressed coal communities." The bill was introduced on Jan. 10.
- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has introduced legislation (S. 975) "to permanently extend the Indian coal production tax credit." The bill was introduced on April 27 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Jon Tester, D-Mont.
- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, has introduced legislation (S. 707) "to ensure that pass-through businesses do not pay tax at a higher rate than corporations." The bill was introduced on March 23 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
- Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has introduced legislation (S. 393) "to allow employers a credit against income tax for employees who participate in qualified apprenticeship programs." The bill was introduced on Feb. 15 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.
Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://www.targetednews.com
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