Opinion: My bill would help Floridians recover from storms. But DC Democrats don’t care.
HERALD TRIBUNE — As we mark two years since Hurricane Ian struck Florida, leaving historic devastation in its wake, Floridians are once again picking up the pieces from another horrific catastrophe, Hurricane Helene.
Bringing deadly storm surge to the Gulf coast of Florida, Helene wreaked havoc on our homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Our communities will be forever changed.
Many are not only still rebuilding their homes from Hurricane Ian in 2022; they are also investing in costly mitigation efforts to prepare for future storms. As a result of Helene, many find themselves starting over. Federal disaster relief has historically been a lifeline during such crises – yet it’s evident that Majority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, is single-handedly hindering the delivery of the much-needed relief that Floridians rightly deserve.
As our state responds to the devastation brought on by Helene, I am once again urging the U.S. Senate to stop delaying and finally pass my legislation, H.R. 5863, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act.
This critical legislation, which I successfully guided through the U.S. House, provides tax relief to families affected by natural disasters, allowing them to deduct disaster-related expenses from their federal taxes and rebuild without facing undue financial hardship.
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act is not just for Floridians; it addresses the needs of Americans nationwide who face similar challenges after natural disasters. We have witnessed countless disasters – including wildfires, tornadoes and flooding – that have left families in desperate need of relief. My legislation would extend tax relief to more than 300 disasters in 47 states.
The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support, a rare accomplishment in today’s political climate. Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have both helped me navigate the Senate’s Unanimous Consent process so President Joe Biden can sign my bill expeditiously, given the strong bipartisan support (382-7) in the House.
But Chuck Schumer refuses to permit a Senate vote on much-needed relief to victims of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and other natural disasters, purely because of political reasons before an election.
The Senate’s inaction on this vital legislation has gone on for too long; its delay has become a conscious choice, allowing months to pass without doing anything. We’ve fought this battle for Ian’s victims for two years now, and Helene’s victims can’t fathom waiting years from now for their relief.
Americans affected by disasters simply cannot afford to wait any longer. Without this legislation, millions will miss out on the tax deductions that are typically available after presidentially declared disasters.
Currently, Congress retroactively waives the 10% income cap on qualified disaster losses. But Americans shouldn’t have to wait for an act of Congress to deduct their expenses following a presidentially declared disaster.
It is unacceptable that Floridians impacted by multiple hurricanes are awaiting congressional action for years after a disaster, especially while our government can quickly disburse hundreds of billions to foreign nations, including those that do not safeguard our taxpayer dollars.
All Americans can agree: our taxpayer dollars should prioritize helping those affected by disasters. While the House recognizes this necessity, the Democrat-controlled Senate is failing to put Americans first.
This situation underscores the urgent need for permanent reform in how we provide tax relief to disaster victims. Common-sense tax relief should be automatic, ensuring that those affected by natural disasters can deduct their expenses from their taxes for the year they occurred.
As we approach 2025, when we will have the chance to renegotiate tax policies under the renewal of former President Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts and Job Act, I will advocate for a permanent waiver of the 10% cap on qualified disaster losses. Congress should be ashamed for allowing political games to delay much-needed relief for disaster victims who have already suffered enough.
Time is running out for Floridians who cannot bear any more delays, particularly as storms like Ian, Idalia, Nicole, Debby and now Helene, have compounded the devastation. Every forecasted storm brings the fear of another catastrophic event and without adequate resources to recover from previous storms, the anxiety can be overwhelming.
We need solutions that empower our communities to rebuild stronger and more resilient, and that starts with passing my bill in the Senate. The message is clear: Floridians deserve tax relief.
The Senate must prioritize the well-being of disaster survivors over political disputes and pass my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. The American people deserve so much better than Chuck Schumer’s partisan games.
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube represents Florida’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. If you need assistance with federal disaster recovery, visit Steube.house.gov/hurricane/ or call his congressional office at 941-499-3214.
