House Votes to Make Marriage Penalty Tax Relief Permanent
On April 28, 2004, the United States House of Representatives voted 323-95 to pass legislation intended to prevent a tax increase on 30 million married couples (H.R. 4181). Representative Todd Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
H.R. 4181 would make permanent the so-called “marriage penalty” tax relief provisions of the 2001 and 2003 tax cut laws. Currently, this tax relief is scheduled to expire at the end of 2005. If Congress does not act, married couples will face a $96 billion tax increase over the next ten years.
H.R. 4181 is now pending consideration in the Senate. Similar legislation was passed by the House in 2002, but never acted upon in the Senate.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Government Reform Committee Approves H.R. 4259
The Government Reform Committee approved on May 6 a bill to give Congress the authority to demand financial accountability at the Department of Homeland Security. The measure was introduced by Representative Todd Platts, Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.), and others and passed the full Committee by voice vote.
Prescription Drug Discount Cards to Begin
As of May 3, 2004, Medicare beneficiaries became eligible to sign-up for a variety of Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards, a transitional program to help seniors with their prescription drugs costs before the full implementation of the newly-enacted Medicare prescription drug benefit. I wanted to take the time to explain the drug discount program to area seniors as well as ensure all seniors are made aware of the resources available to choose the right card for them.
April 15th Opening Statement of Congressman Platts at a Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management Hearing on the Improper Payments Act
Lawmakers Urge Funding for Diabetes Program
Representative Todd Platts joined a group of bipartisan colleagues, including Representatives George Nethercutt (WA-5) and Diana DeGette (CO-1), the co-chairs of the House Diabetes Caucus, in sending a letter to members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Education. The letter urges the Subcommittee to make diabetes programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) a top budget priority in fiscal year 2005.
“As you are certainly aware, diabetes is a very serious chronic disease and a major public health issue,” the letter states. “It is the nation’s fourth leading cause of death by disease, it is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, amputations, blindness and kidney disease, and it is a serious and prevalent chronic illness among children. Alarmingly, millions of Americans do not even know they have this life threatening disease. Furthermore, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing at an epidemic rate: from 1990 to 2001, diabetes increased by 61% across the country. And from 2000 to 2001 alone, it increased by 8%.”
The Month in Review
The following is a list of some key votes taken by the United States House of Representatives during the month of April 2004:
The Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act (H.R. 1779)
The House voted 415-0 to pass legislation allowing members of the active-duty National Guard and Reserves to make penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
The Continuity in Representation Act (H.R. 2844)
The House voted 306-97 to pass legislation requiring special elections to fill vacant House seats within 45 days in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophe killing at least 100 members. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
Ronald Reagan Federal Building (S. 2043)
The House approved by voice vote legislation, also passed by the Senate, to name the federal building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as the “Ronald Reagan Federal Building.” Representative Platts supported this legislation.
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