The “lame duck” session of Congress will end this weekend with many important bills in the breech. One of particular interest is HR 1779 (Guardsman and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004) that with grass roots input from our membership stands a good chance of being added to the House Suspension calendar. The Bill passed originally 415-0 in the House, and passed in the Senate with the Employer’s Tax Credits on Oct 9th. If we can get it on the calendar, it will pass, and go to the President for signature.
Legislative Details:
HR 1779, Guardsman and Reservist Financial Relief Act of 2004. This original bill passed in the House in April, 2004 by a vote of 415 to 0. The bill went to the Senate Finance committee, and waited for action. Senator Landrieu amended this bill when the Employer Tax Credit provisions she fought for, were stripped out of the JOBS Act Bill – S 1637. The JOBS Act provisions provided tax credits for employers of Guard and Reserve members activated. Unfortunately, the GAO estimates 41% of activated Guardsmen and Reservists will face a reduction in salary during activation versus civilian salaries, known as the “Pay Gap.” Thousands of employers have patriotically made up the Pay Gap or even offered full salaries to their activated Guard and Reserve employees. However, most employers simply cannot afford to pay a mobilized employee. Loss in pay leaves great strains on mobilized reservists, and their families. Retention suffers when families suffer. Additionally, small businesses suffer losses in productivity when their employees are activated, and this amendment to HR 1779 provides tax credits to help small business.
The original provisions passed by the Senate:
· A 50% tax credit to employers continuing to pay activated Guard and Reserve employees, with a cap of $30,000 ($15,000 credit) per employee;
· The credit would cover salaries paid on days when the employee is activated for up to 2 years to cover the entirety of the deployment;
· The credit rewards those employers already going above and beyond what the law mandates; encourages more employers to do so; and alleviates strains on Guard and Reserve families.
Legislative Action
We strongly urge you to send an E-mail TODAY to Speaker Hastert’s office and to Chairman Thomas, and Ranking member Rangel on the House Ways and Means Committee, and ask them to place HR 1779 on the Suspension Calendar. This means the bill will come up under suspension of the rules for a vote! If approved in the House, HR 1779 would go straight to the President for signing.
Send three E-mails as follows to:
Cut & paste the following:
Dear Speaker Hastert,
I request that you place HR 1779 (Guardsman and Reservist Financial Relief Act for 2004) as amended by the Senate, on the House Suspension Calendar for consideration as soon as possible before the recess of the 108th Congress.
Sincerely,
(Your Name),
(Your address)
into an e-mail to: speaker@mail.house.gov and/or dhastert@mail.house.gov
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Cut & paste the following:
Dear Congressman Thomas,
I request that you place HR 1779 (Guardsman and Reservist Financial Relief Act for 2004) as amended by the Senate, on the House Suspension Calendar for consideration as soon as possible before the recess of the 108th Congress.
Sincerely,
(Your Name),
(Your address)
into the form @ http://billthomas.house.gov/Contact.asp
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Cut & paste the following:
Dear Congressman Rangel,
I request that you place HR 1779 (Guardsman and Reservist Financial Relief Act for 2004) as amended by the Senate, on the House Suspension Calendar for consideration as soon as possible before the recess of the 108th Congress.
Sincerely,
(Your Name),
(Your address)
into the e-mail @ rangel@mail.house.gov
v NOTE: Contact your representative as a citizen; please remember to not use government time or equipment!
Feel free to forward this e-mail. For those of you who receive this and you are not already a member, please consider joining the Naval Reserve Association. Check us out at: www.navy-reserve.org or call on our toll free number 866-672-4968.