FAWCO is happy to announce that Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Mike Honda (D-CA), have introduced H.R.597, legislation to create a Federal commission to study the impact of government policies upon the millions of Americans living overseas.
“Americans living and working abroad are our country’s informal ambassadors and help strengthen the U.S. economy and promote American influence. Yet they too often suffer from an ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’ mentality within government, Maloney said. “Overseas Americans pay their taxes and vote like the rest of us. Their concerns about how their government interacts with them deserve to be heard-- and paid attention to-- here in Washington, and that’s what this bill would do.
“With its large proportion of members who are long-term residents overseas, FAWCO has endeavored for years, if not decades, to ensure that Washington legislators understand the unfortunate situation of patriotic, law-abiding citizens living and working abroad who suffer under the impact of laws actually designed to identify and punish tax evasion within the United States or which unintentionally disenfranchise overseas voters. We have high hopes for the potential of this Commission, said Lucy Stensland Laederich, U.S. Liaison, Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO).
“Millions of U.S. citizens who are living and working abroad continue to be impacted by harmful, and often unintentional, federal policies that discourage them from becoming citizen ambassadors or even returning to the U.S., Rep. Honda said. “These Americans can promote U.S. influence around the world, helping our economy thrive and fostering a better understanding of our country in other nations. As a member of the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus, I believe we must take steps to gain a comprehensive understanding of these policies that impact these Americans so that we can finally remove the barriers affecting these global citizens. This is why I am proud to fully support the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act, authored by my friend and Caucus Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney
“With its large proportion of members who are long-term residents overseas, FAWCO has endeavored for years, if not decades, to ensure that Washington legislators understand the unfortunate situation of patriotic, law-abiding citizens living and working abroad who suffer under the impact of laws actually designed to identify and punish tax evasion within the United States or which unintentionally disenfranchise overseas voters. We have high hopes for the potential of this Commission, said Lucy Stensland Laederich, U.S. Liaison, Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO).
“AARO has worked for almost forty years to constructively improve legislation affecting U.S. citizens living and working abroad. However, some recent legislation has tremendously complicated their everyday lives, resulting for example in their loss of access to financial services at home and abroad. We very much hope that Congress will explore these issues and make recommendations in the best interests of both the U.S. and its global population., said John Flint, Vice President of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO).
"A Presidential Commission to investigate the issues affecting the over 7 million American citizens living and working overseas, contributing to the US economy and creating jobs for Americans worldwide, is essential to understanding the problems they face and how government can address their issues and facilitate their jobs as creators of economic opportunity and informal ambassadors for America," said Marylouise Serrato, Executive Director, American Citizens Abroad (ACA).
> BACKGROUND ON THE LEGISLATION
> H.R. 597 creates a 15-member, bipartisan Executive Commission to study the impact of U.S. laws and Executive actions on the overseas Americans community. The study would then be used to make recommendations for actions Congress and the Executive Branch could take to improve collaboration and communication of policies impacting this community. The intent of the review is to ensure awareness, coordination, and integration of the activities of the federal government relating to Americans abroad. Specific areas of federal policy the Commission is charged with looking into are tax and banking policy (including FATCA, Banking Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act), immigration, voting, access to federal benefits (Medicare, Social Security), and student loans. There is an initial study due one year after enactment, and then one year following that report an update of what actions the federal government has taken based on recommendations from the initial report.
Rep. Maloney is co-founder and Chair of the Americans Abroad Caucus in the House. Find out more here.