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House Passes Bill to Protect Medicare Beneficiaries
On September 24, the House of Representatives approved legislation [H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act] to protect millions of senior citizens and people with disabilities from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. The legislation, which was endorsed by a broad array of seniors advocacy groups, passed by a bipartisan vote of 406 to 18.
“In these unusually difficult economic times, this legislation protects millions of retirees who would otherwise have to pay increased Medicare Part B premiums,” said Rep. Levin. “It also avoids placing added costs on state budgets, already under serious financial pressure, which would otherwise have to cover the increased premiums for seniors eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.”
For additional information on the House-passed bill, click here.
House Votes to Add 13 Weeks of Unemployment Insurance
On September 22, the House voted 331 to 83 to approve an additional 13 weeks of benefits for people in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. The extension was included in the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act [H.R. 3548].
During the House debate on the measure, Rep. Levin shared the story of Larry Szpanelewski, a resident of Madison Heights: “‘You know, I never thought this would happen to me,’ Mr. Szpanelewski had said in a phone call. ‘I have never been unemployed before. This economy is unlike anything I could ever imagine. I am very grateful for each extension of benefits. But I really want to get back to work....’” To read Rep. Levin’s remarks in full, click here.
In order for the benefits extension to become law, the U.S. Senate must approve the bill.
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Help Service Members Take Full Advantage of Homebuyer Incentives
On September 17, thirty House lawmakers, including Rep. Levin, introduced legislation to extend critical tax equity to members of America’s armed forces, Foreign Service and intelligence community. Earlier this year, Congress approved assistance to first-time homeowners to allow them to claim a tax credit of up to $8,000 in connection with the purchase of a home before December 1, 2009. Many military families may be prevented from benefitting from the homebuyers credit before the December 1 expiration date because they have been deployed overseas.
The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act [H.R. 3590] would extend, for one year, the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for qualifying service members while also waiving the repayment clause in the existing credit if the service member receives official orders and is forced to sell his or her house within three years of purchase.
Submit Your Questions for Connector TV
Next week Rep Levin will be filming another episode of Congressional Connector TV with guests Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing and Clyde Prestowitz of the Economic Strategy Institute. Rep. Levin and his guests will be talking about manufacturing and trade. If you’d like to submit a question to be answered during the program please click here.”
The Week Ahead
The House is expected to complete work this week on the 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
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