NAPLES, Fla. – Congressman Byron Donalds joined Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) and a bipartisan delegation of fifty-six additional colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to pass much-needed federal disaster tax relief on behalf of Southwest Floridians and the American people.
H.R. 5863 – "The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act" would provide long-awaited, critical tax relief for the victims of 300+ federally designated disasters including Hurricanes Ian, Milton, Helene, Idalia, and Debby, the Maui Fires, and the East Palestine Train Derailment.
The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Majority Leader
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Leaders Schumer and McConnell:
In the wake of the disaster caused by Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States, we urge you to swiftly bring the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863) for expeditious consideration in the Senate. Hurricane Helene’s devastating aftermath stresses the need for the Senate to act now and deliver much needed relief to disaster victims.
Hurricane Helene has caused some of the greatest devastation the southeastern United States has ever seen. More than 200 Americans have lost their lives and communities are searching for hundreds of missing people. The immediate recovery efforts are underway, and it will be years before families and communities recover, though never truly whole again after such a horrific loss of life.
Congress must take action so that American families are able to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. We recognize the urgency to aid immediate ground operations for lifesaving efforts and to restore power, transportation, sanitation, and other important means. As individuals and families recover from this disaster, it is important that we provide them with tax relief. In addition to victims of Helene, this bill would provide relief to millions of others affected by more than 300 other major disasters declared by President Biden.
Through no fault of their own, many of our constituents have incurred thousands of dollars in disaster-related expenses. Many others are also facing unfair tax burdens as a result of being taxed on rightful compensation from being the victim of a wildfire disaster. Victims of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment on February 3, 2023 also need relief.
This piece of legislation passed the Ways & Means Committee unanimously on November 2, 2023 and passed the House of Representatives on May 21, 2024 by a vote of 382-7 after a vote was forced through a historic discharge petition.
As respective leaders, you have the opportunity to act immediately to provide needed relief to millions of Americans in our districts, including the countless individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. It is our sincere hope that you will take up the Federal Disaster Tax Relief of 2023 on unanimous consent to swiftly pass this bill so the President can sign it into law quickly.
Sincerely,
Greg Steube (R-FL) Member of Congress Byron Donalds (R-FL) Member of Congress Mike Thompson (D-CA) Member of Congress
Doug La Malfa (R-CA) Member of Congress
Jill Tokuda (D-HI) Member of Congress
Danny Davis (D-IL) Member of Congress
Julia Brownley (D-CA) Member of Congress
James Moylan (R-GU) Member of Congress
Chuck Edwards (R-NC) Member of Congress
Andrew Clyde (R-GA) Member of Congress
Sara Jacobs (D-CA) Member of Congress
Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) Member of Congress
Shri Thanedar (D-MI) Member of Congress
Chris Deluzio (D-PA) Member of Congress
Kevin Kiley (R-CA) Member of Congress
Nanette Barragan (D-CA) Member of Congress
Ed Case (D-HI) Member of Congress
Mike Waltz (R-FL) Member of Congress
Drew Ferguson (R-GA) Member of Congress
Barbara Lee (D-CA) Member of Congress
David Valadao (R-CA) Member of Congress
Jeff Jackson (D-NC) Member of Congress
Darren Soto (D-FL) Member of Congress
Mike Rulli (R-OH) Member of Congress
Dan Goldman (D-NY) Member of Congress
Eric Sorenson (D-IL) Member of Congress
Bill Posey (R-FL) Member of Congress
Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) Member of Congress
Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) Member of Congress
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Member of Congress
Mark Takano (D-CA) Member of Congress
Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) Member of Congress
Lois Frankel (D-FL) Member of Congress
Jim Costa (D-CA) Member of Congress
Mary Peltola (D-AK) Member of Congress
Mike Lawler (D-NY) Member of Congress
Deborah Ross (D-NC) Member of Congress
Pat Ryan (D-NY) Member of Congress
Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) Member of Congress
Lauren Underwood (D-IL) Member of Congress
Mike Levin (D-CA) Member of Congress
Hank Johnson (D-GA) Member of Congress
Adam Schiff (D-CA) Member of Congress
Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) Member of Congress
Greg Murphy (R-NC) Member of Congress
Don Davis (D-NC) Member of Congress
John Rutherford (R-FL) Member of Congress
Stephanie Bice (R-OK) Member of Congress
Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) Member of Congress
Jared Huffman (D-CA) Member of Congress
Robin Kelly (D-IL) Member of Congress
Diana DeGette (D-CO) Member of Congress
Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) Member of Congress
Brittany Petterson (D-CO) Member of Congress
Matt Gaetz (R-FL) Member of Congress
Tom Suozzi (D-NY) Member of Congress
Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) Member of Congress
Kim Schrier (D-WA) Member of Congress
