"House Fails to Pass GOP-Backed Bill for Tax Relief to Americans Detained Abroad"

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about 1 month ago - Politics

Recently, a decision in the House of Representatives involved a special bill called the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act." This bill was mainly backed by the Republican Party, and it aimed to help Americans who might find themselves in difficult situations if they are detained or held hostage in another country.

The bill proposed two important things:

  1. Delay Tax Deadlines: If an American is captured or detained abroad, they would not have to worry about missing tax deadlines during the time they are held. Their tax filing and payment deadlines would be delayed, and this would also apply to their spouses. This means families wouldn't face fines or penalties because of something completely out of their control.

  2. Refund Past Fines: The bill also aimed to fix past mistakes. If someone was detained and had to pay fines or extra taxes because they couldn't meet tax deadlines, the government would give that money back.

This bill was designed to make life easier for Americans who end up in these tough situations overseas, showing that the government cares about its citizens even if they're far from home. Unfortunately, when it came time to vote, the bill did not pass. It needed a "2/3 Yea-and-Nay" majority to be approved, meaning at least two-thirds of the votes had to be in favor. Since it did not get enough votes, the bill failed, which means these changes to help affected Americans won't be happening right now.

This is a bill that helps Americans who have been detained unlawfully or held hostage abroad with their taxes. It gives them more time to pay taxes and removes any penalties or late fees they might have gotten during the time they were detained. Also, it lets their spouse enjoy the same benefits.

Here are the details:

  1. Tax Deadline Postponement: The bill lets these affected Americans and their spouses have extra time to do things like file their taxes or pay any owed taxes without any penalties. The extra time matches how long they were held or detained.

  2. Getting Rid of Penalties: If any fines or penalties were placed on them during the time they were detained, the government will remove these charges and if they already paid, they get their money back.

  3. Stopping Support to Terrorists: Organizations that support terrorism can no longer enjoy tax-free status.

  4. Keeping Track: Every year, the government will keep a list of all Americans who were detained abroad to help manage this process.

All of these changes are meant to start helping people from the day after the bill is accepted.

401 votes

Yes

256

No

145

Not Voting

33

  1. Received in the Senate.
  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 184 (Roll no. 477). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6159-6160)
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  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 184 (Roll no. 477). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6159-6160)
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  5. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 9495.
  7. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 and H.R. 9495. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 under a structured rule and H.R. 9495 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  8. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1576. (consideration: CR H6159-6168)
  9. Rule H. Res. 1576 passed House.
  10. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1576 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 and H.R. 9495. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 under a structured rule and H.R. 9495 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  11. Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 256 - 145 (Roll no. 458).
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  12. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 256 - 145 (Roll no. 458).
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  13. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5948)
  14. At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Doggett objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  15. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9495.
  16. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5931-5937; text: CR H5931-5933)
  17. Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  18. Reported in House

    This is a bill that helps Americans who have been detained unlawfully or held hostage abroad with their taxes. It gives them more time to pay taxes and removes any penalties or late fees they might have gotten during the time they were detained. Also, it lets their spouse enjoy the same benefits.

    Here are the details:

    1. Tax Deadline Postponement: The bill lets these affected Americans and their spouses have extra time to do things like file their taxes or pay any owed taxes without any penalties. The extra time matches how long they were held or detained.

    2. Getting Rid of Penalties: If any fines or penalties were placed on them during the time they were detained, the government will remove these charges and if they already paid, they get their money back.

    3. Stopping Support to Terrorists: Organizations that support terrorism can no longer enjoy tax-free status.

    4. Keeping Track: Every year, the government will keep a list of all Americans who were detained abroad to help manage this process.

    All of these changes are meant to start helping people from the day after the bill is accepted.

  19. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 616.
  20. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-729.
  21. Introduced in House

    This is a bill proposed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to help American citizens who are unfairly detained abroad. The main focus is to adjust the tax deadlines for these individuals and make sure they do not face penalties for late payments during periods of their detention.

    Here's exactly what the bill proposes:

    1. Adjusting Tax Deadlines: The time that American citizens are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad will not be counted against them when it comes to performing tax-related duties. This means that if someone is supposed to pay taxes or file a return during the period they are detained, that time won’t count, and they'll be allowed to complete these tasks without penalty when they are released.

    2. Help for the Spouses: This delay in deadlines also applies to the spouses of those detained, so they too can handle taxes without the stress of immediate deadlines.

    3. Reimbursement for Late Penalties: If any penalties for late payments of taxes had been charged during the detention period, the government will cancel these charges (called 'abating') and refund the penalties that were paid.

    4. Stopping Support for Terrorist Groups via Taxes: The bill also ends the tax-exempt status of organizations that support terrorist activities, meaning these groups will have to pay taxes, reducing their financial resources.

    5. Keeping Track of Detained Americans: The bill requires key U.S. departments to keep updated lists of Americans who are detained abroad to aid in the proper application of these tax deadline changes.

    The intended outcome is that Americans who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances abroad won't be further burdened by tax issues at home. Their spouses can also find some relief under this bill, with administrative details handled in a way that acknowledges their difficult situations.