Today, we have before us the boldly titled, ‘All-American Tax Relief Act.’ With such a red, white, and blue-sounding name, you’d wonder who could possibly object. Well, Mr. Speaker, I object. I object on behalf of the 200,000 or so military families who will be ineligible for this enhanced child tax credit simply because of their service in Iraq, Afghanastan, or other combat zones. Yes, they may be Americans, but apparently not All-American enough to qualify under this bill. The Senate bill being rejected today did say that the families of our brave soldiers were equally entitled to share in the child tax credit refund. That provision is sadly missing from the House All-American bill."
Neal objected to the House amendment to the Senate passed version of HR 1308 because families of military personnel serving in combat zones would be ineligible for the refundable tax credits, unlike the Senate version. Neal continued:
"You might have also noticed that the refundable child tax credit has no revenue impact this year under the House bill, but does so under the Senate bill. How could it be that this ‘Stars and Stripes’ House bill provides no relief this year. That’s because the All-American bill rejects the notion that low-income families deserve immediate relief, as every other American family will get in the next six weeks. Low-income families must wait for their checks until next year, and, of course, those serving in a combat zone can wait forever. I urge my colleagues to vote down this misnamed and unpatriotic bill."
The House amendment to the Senate passed version of HR 1308 passed the House and is now subject to a conference between the House and the Senate.
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