July 27, 2014

Dear Friend,

Lots happening as the House acted on several pieces of legislation to help hardworking Americans. Part of the effort is to permanently extend important provisions in the tax code. Legislation I authored was included in a package of bills that simplifies the tax code for charities and foundations so they can give more of their money to grantees and people in need, instead of to lawyers and accountants. The bills passed with broad bipartisan support. Watch me speak on the House floor here

Also this week, I voted for higher education initiatives that make the financial aid process more transparent for parents and students, as well as ensure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions.  In addition, we passed a bill to simplify the complicated patchwork of tax breaks for higher eduction by making permanent a tax credit for students with up to $2,500 per year to help pay tuition and related expenses at higher education institutions.

Congratulations to the Mayo Clinic! -- Here I am speaking on the floor this week to honor the Mayo Clinic for being ranked the top hospital facility in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for the first time. They beat nearly 5,000 other hospitals to claim the top prize. It's great to have such an outstanding facility right in our backyard!

If I can be of help to you or your family, don’t hesitate to give my office a call. Join the conversation online by visiting my website, Facebook page, Twitter, and don't forget to watch my weekly video, Erik's Correspondence Corner.

 


Erik Paulsen
Member of Congress

House Passes Additional Anti-Sex Trafficking Legislation

I continue to push for more action to combat the horrific problem of sex trafficking. This week, the House passed 8 different bills to protect children from sex exploitation. Two of the bills included language I authored that would improve foster care and child welfare services to prevent vulnerable youth from falling victim to trafficking. I spoke on the floor in favor of this legislation. Here's a Summary of the other bills:

H.R. 2283 – Human Trafficking Prioritization Act -- Elevates State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to “Bureau” level. I cosponsored this legislation.

H.R. 4449 – Human Trafficking Prevention Act -- Establishes training and education for ambassadors and embassy offices on trafficking issues and prevention.

H.R. 5076 – Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act -- Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to better cover human trafficking; includes requiring Health and Human Services to give priority to proposed projects relating to training staff about trafficking.

H.R. 5111 – To Improve the Response to Victims of Child Sex Trafficking -- Amends the Missing Children’s Assistance Act to replace “child prostitution” with “child sex trafficking”; requires law enforcement to update the records of missing children within 30 days of the initial report.

H.R. 5116 – Human Trafficking Detection Act -- Instructs Department of Homeland Security personnel to be trained to deter and prevent sex trafficking.

H.R. 5135 – Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act – Directs an Interagency Task Force to conduct a review of Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental organization activities to prevent children from becoming victims of trafficking. I cosponsored this legislation.

 

Making Permanent the Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit provides much needed relief to help with the costs that come with raising a family. Despite the fact that costs continue to rise, the Child Tax Credit has not risen with inflation. Over the last decade, the cost of clothing has increased 89%, food prices have gone up 21%, and childcare and education have increased by 107%. However, the Child Tax Credit has remained the same.

This week, I joined my House colleagues in passing legislation to make the Child Tax Credit permanent and index it to inflation to keep pace with rising costs for hardworking families. The bill also eliminates the ‘marriage penalty’ so all families are treated fairly.

 

 

Students from University of St. Thomas stopped by to chat with Congressman Paulsen

 

Sophia, Savanna, and Sydney showing Erik the pictures they drew for him. Congressman Paulsen helped with their adoption from Guatemala.

 

Congressman Paulsen touring the Emerson Control Techniques facility in Eden Prairie.

 

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