On the House Floor
The House is currently in recess for the Spring District Work Period and will reconvene on April 16th.
Veterans Advisory Committee
On Wednesday, I convened the first meeting of my new Veterans Advisory Committee to help me become better informed about issues relating to the military and military veterans. Already, the group consists of local residents who have served in every branch of the military, drawing from the ranks of enlisted personnel and officers alike. Some I have known for years, some are people who have not always agreed with me, and others are altogether new acquaintances. This diversity of perspectives was extremely informative. In a wide-ranging interchange, the committee identified several issues of importance to be agendized for discussion at future committee meetings and public forums.
The following day, I hosted a forum on veterans affairs focusing on healthcare and other benefits offered by the Veterans Administration (VA). Over 180 local veterans, ranging from those who served in World War II to some who recently returned from Iraq, attended the meeting. High-ranking officials from the VA in Northern California were present to share information with attendees about healthcare, retirement and disability benefits, and vocational education and rehabilitation services. More importantly, I was able to hear first hand about the experiences of my constituents as they asked questions and made comments.
Especially right now, there is a great deal of interest and scrutiny directed at the VA. In fact, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson recently announced that the presidential task force he heads to address care for military personnel and veterans will issue recommendations next week. The problems on which that group has focused mirror the experiences shared at the forum in Roseville. Perhaps the most prevalent of these shortcomings is the inexcusably long time it takes for the VA to process benefit claims. Also, while the quality of the medical care was lauded, the inability to schedule timely appointments is a major drawback. Overall, the gathering was helpful in identifying what is working well in the system and what needs to be improved. The Fourth Congressional District is home to many citizens who have served honorably in the Armed Forces. When I am voting on matters of war and peace, it will be a great asset to be able to draw on their experience and expertise.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Throughout this week, I held a series of town hall meetings in the communities of Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Lincoln, and Oroville. Several times, people expressed great concern about the encroaching impacts of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Originally enacted in 1969 to prevent a small number of super-wealthy taxpayers from using legitimate deductions and credits to avoid paying taxes altogether, it now applies to millions of Americans. Very simply, the AMT is a less generous way of determining tax liability that does not allow for many deductions and credits. Because the AMT has never been indexed for inflation, it ensnares more and more Americans each year. In 2000, only 1.3 million tax returns were subject to the AMT. It is estimated that over 19 million were affected in 2006. Even more alarmingly, preliminary estimates indicate that by 2010, when the effects of both inflation and the expiration of the 2001 tax cuts are taken into account, the number of taxpayers falling under the AMT would grow to 32 million.
In May 2006, Congress passed a one-year relief to keep this cancerous tax from spreading. However, a permanent solution is required. That is why I am cosponsoring H.R. 1366, the Individual AMT Repeal Act of 2007, and H.R. 1365, which repeals the Corporate AMT. While political conditions do not favor passage of these bills, I am hopeful that modest relief can be achieved this year.
Quote of the Week
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” – George Washington
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