MOAA Legislative Update for July 25, 2003

Military Officers Association of America (Website) ^ | July 25, 2003 | MOAA

[BellStar]

Issue 2 MOAA Turns Up Heat on Military Tax Relief

Despite strong shows of support from both houses of Congress, the military tax bill has not yet been enacted into law. After months of near-victory followed by frustration, MOAA is pulling out all the stops in an attempt to secure passage before the end of this legislative year.

The tax bill, which would provide additional tax benefits for military homeowners, drilling members of the Guard and Reserve, and survivors of members killed on active duty, has been passed several times by each house of Congress over the past several months. Unfortunately, committee leaders have been unwilling to negotiate a final version of the bill, and have instead let the issue languish.

In a letter to President Bush, MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan, Jr., USN (Ret) expressed his frustration at Congress' lack of action. "Our government has provided many hundreds of billions in tax relief for other American taxpayers in recent years, while imposing continued tax penalties on men and women sent into harm's way to protect our national interests around the world," Ryan said. "They and their families deserve fair tax treatment, too."

The letter can be found on MOAA's Web site at www.moaa.org/MOAATaxLtrPres.pdf.

In addition, Admiral Ryan recently authored an editorial in the Service Times newspapers and letters to major media outlets across the country. Members of MOAA's Government Relations staff have been meeting with leadership in both chambers of Congress in an attempt to win support for upcoming legislative action.

Now, others are speaking out. This morning's Washington Post printed a scathing editorial criticizing legislators for inaction. Describing the tax bill as a "shamefully unfinished piece of legislation" and the squabbling over minor differences "a festival of finger-pointing," the editors issue a ringing endorsement of immediate action. "Before skipping town, Congress should . . . give service members in Iraq the benefits that everyone agrees they deserve." The full editorial can be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43456-2003Jul24.html

Please do your part to help us win final enactment of this important legislation. Use MOAA's Web site to send a message to your legislators: http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/. Our men and women in uniform have been waiting too long for tax relief, and they shouldn't have to wait any longer.

[BellStar]

This is un-freaking believable!

[BellStar]

This needs a bump!

[BellStar]

Our support for the military seems to be a mile wide here and an inch deep.
Please Bump!

[BellStar]

If people on FreeRepuublic really know how we treat the military you would see a pitchfork brigade marching on D.C.

Army Brats know! I read dads MOAA magazine. Please help pass this on!

[BellStar]

Now that the war is over not to many care about our men and women in uniform any more it would appear.

[BellStar]

We need a bump here!

[E.G.C.]

Yep, you're right. Sad indeed.

[BellStar]

Bump up the volume!

[BellStar]

Help!

[Grut]

This is un-freaking believable!

Only if you're a military virgin. Congress has a long history of posing prettily while it 'almost' passes some law to help military members.

[SAMWolf]

Just sent Hooley, Wyden and Smith notes telling them to support and pass this bill. So did my daughter, Wife and we forwarded the site URL to our friends.

[Soaring Feather]

Bump and will do the same here in my state.

[Soaring Feather]

Done, Hillary and Chuckie boy have heard from me. Sent a friend the info.

Thanks for the ping.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Bellstar and SAM for the pings.

The Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act

Pinging some FRiends, if you know of some folks who might be interested in helping get this bill passed by writing and/or calling their reps please ping them. Thanks.

The Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act, which provides capital gains tax equity for active and retired homeowners and a tax deduction for expenses related to Guard/Reserve drill-related travel, is once again, being held up by Congressional inaction. Although versions of this legislation have been approved several times by both chambers, the House and Senate have bogged down in negotiations over final details.

Most recently, this resulted in the military tax relief provisions being stripped out of the President's $350 billion tax cut package. We need to tell legislators that those who go in harm’s way to protect the country have been waiting years for this relief, and Congress shouldn’t be leaving them behind again.

[SAMWolf]

BTTT

[Victoria Delsoul]

We need a bump here!

My pleasure.

[SAMWolf]

Evening Bump.

[SAMWolf]

Late night bump

[PhilDragoo]

Just contacted Udall, Bingaman, Domenici.

[Fred Mertz]

Bumping up the volume.