Press Release
| For Immediate Release October 24, 2007 |
Contact: Adam Sharon (202) 225-4506 |
Congressman Kendrick B. Meek Introduces Child Tax Credit Legislation for Families of U.S. Military Personnel Killed in Iraq and Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) introduced legislation today that increases the $1,000 child tax credit to $5,000 for widows and widowers with children whose spouse was killed in Iraq, and in and around Afghanistan.
"The men and women in uniform who fought for our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice left behind families who are also heroes of the wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Congress can help alleviate the financial burden on these grieving families and this child tax credit legislation is one small way we can say thank you these patriotic Americans," said Congressman Kendrick B. Meek, a Member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. "This is a bill that Democrats and Republicans can rally around and I look forward to its passage."
The bill will eliminate the income requirements to qualify for the credit and will apply to the taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.
According to a report from the Military Homefront for the Department of Defense, 37.8% of active duty troops are married with children. As of October 22, 2007, the Department of Defense reported that the total number of military fatalities in both conflicts totaled 4,273.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has estimated that 1,615 troops who were married and had children have died in combat. In addition, the Military Homefront states that 5.4% of active duty American troops are single parents and CRS estimates that 231 troops who were single parents have also died during these conflicts.
The Meek-sponsored legislation was introduced through the Ways and Means Committee.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves on the House Committee on Armed Services and is the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
