Virginia Beach Strong Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4566) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of the families of victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on May 31, 2019.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4566

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Virginia Beach Strong Act''. SEC. 2. SPECIAL RULES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RELIEF OF THE FAMILIES OF THE MASS SHOOTING IN VIRGINIA BEACH.

(a) Clarification That Contribution Will Not Fail To Qualify as a Charitable Contribution.--A cash contribution made for the relief of the families of the dead or wounded victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on May 31, 2019, shall not fail to be treated as a charitable contribution for purposes of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 merely because such contribution is for the exclusive benefit of such families. The preceding sentence shall apply to contributions made on or after May 31, 2019.

(b) Clarification That Payments by Charitable Organizations to Families Treated as Exempt Payments.--For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, payments made on or after May 31, 2019, and on or before June 1, 2021, to the spouse or any dependent (as defined in section 152 of such Code) of the dead or wounded victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on May 31, 2019, by an organization which (determined without regard to any such payments) would be an organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code shall--

(1) be treated as related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for such organization's exemption under such section; and

(2) shall not be treated as inuring to the benefit of any private individual, if such payments are made in good faith using a reasonable and objective formula which is consistently applied with respect to such victims.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Virginia Beach Strong Act, a bill authored by my friend and colleague from Virginia, Congresswoman Elaine Luria, to ensure that donations to the victims of the Virginia Beach shooting are tax deductible.

Mr. Speaker, the Virginia Beach community experienced unspeakable tragedy earlier this year when a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

In the face of this terrible tragedy, leaders throughout the city came together and quickly established a fund to support victims, survivors, and their families. The outpouring of support from the community was profound, with over $4 million in donations to the fund.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, these donations are arguably not considered tax deductible charitable contributions because they are divided among specified individuals rather than an organization. A technical fix in the Tax Code would address this issue. This legislation before us today would fix this issue for the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund and ensure that these donations are tax deductible.

While nothing can reverse the pain of this terrible tragedy, the bipartisan, commonsense bill before us today is an important step toward helping the victims and their families and incentivizing further contributions to the fund. I am proud to stand with the Virginia Beach community in support of this legislation.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we must take action to fix the tax deductibility of these donations to the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund, which has done so much to help the community recover from this unspeakable tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my profound condolences and also congratulate Mrs. Luria on this wonderful piece of legislation that will truly benefit those who were tragically lost and their families, as well as first responders.

Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member to support this important legislation. It is truly bicameral and bipartisan and deserves to pass. I support this legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source