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Hudson Votes for Hurricane Florence Tax Relief and Free Speech for Pastors

December 20, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2018
Hudson Votes for Hurricane Florence Tax Relief and Free Speech for Pastors
Included in the package is one of Rep. Hudson’s first campaign promises to repeal the Johnson Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 88, a comprehensive, pro-growth tax and oversight package that includes the Hurricane Florence Tax Relief Act (H.R. 6854), legislation he cosponsored to amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow various tax credits, deductions, and modifications to existing rules for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Florence, and a repeal of the Johnson Amendment:
“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act spurred higher wagesand more job opportunities, lowered the tax burden on working familiesand put more moneyin your pockets,” said Rep. Hudson. “Today’s legislation continues to build on this progress while providing much-needed tax relief to our neighbors impacted by Hurricane Florence and repealing the Johnson Amendment. I made a promise to protect religious liberty by repealing the Johnson Amendment, and I’ll continue to fight to see it through.”
Today’s bill repeals the Johnson Amendment, a provision of the tax code that restricts free speech by pastors. The first bill Rep. Hudson cosponsored during his first term in office was a repeal of the Johnson Amendment. This is a step in the right direction to restore and uphold the First Amendment rights of churches and pastors so they may address important matters of public policy without fear of punishment from the IRS.
In addition, this overall package includes retirement and other savings enhancements, legislation to redesign the Internal Revenue Service, and temporary tax relief for victims of the wildfires in California and for communities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael and by storms and volcanoes in the Pacific. The package also addresses the tax extenders, and includes some time-sensitive technical corrections to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Issues:Tax Reform