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The Human Needs Report is the Coalition on Human Needs'
newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable
populations. It is published every other week while Congress is
in session.
If you would like to receive the Human Needs Report by email,
send an message to Adam Hughes with "subscibe
Human Needs Report" in the subject line.
- Tax Bill Gets Final Approval In Congress
House and Senate Republican leaders and the White House reached a compromise on $330 billion in tax cuts and $20 billion in state fiscal relief and sent the final legislation to the President before leaving for the Memorial Day recess (May 24 - June 2). The Jobs and Growth Reconciliation Tax Act of 2003 (HR 2), costs less than half of President Bush's original $726 billion plan, since it "sunsets" most provisions at varying points during the legislation's 10-year lifetime. Because most observers think it is highly unlikely that Congress would allow these tax cuts to expire, the actual cost of the package could well exceed the President's proposal. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, if all provisions are extended through 2013, the total cost would range from over $800 billion to more than $1 trillion. (See Conference Agreement on Tax Cuts Makes Heavier Use of Gimmicks Than House or Senate Bills)
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- IRS Proposes Restrictive Changes To Earned Income Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering burdensome new documentation requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The IRS is planning to require certain parents/caregivers to verify their relationship to children claimed for the EITC as well as the child's place of residence. If they do not submit the forms and documents well in advance of filing their taxes, their refund checks will be delayed or even denied.
Although the plans for this new approach have been thus far been made in secret, the IRS has decided to hold a 30-day public comment period. Advocates, members of Congress, and commercial tax preparers are already voicing their concerns.
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- House And Senate Pass Unemployment Benefit Extension
On Friday, May 23, 2003, the Senate approved legislation to provide 13 weeks of federal unemployment benefits over the next six months to workers who have exhausted their state benefits. The Senate passed the legislation (HR 2185) by voice vote, following approval in the House of the measure the day before. Senators had little choice but to pass the bill with no amendments as the House had already left for Memorial Day recess and would have been unavailable for conference. With the legislation approved in both chambers, Presidential approval is expected to occur before the federal program expires on May 31.
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