WASHINGTON, D.C.– H.R.  3043, the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 277-141. This legislation affirms tribal sovereignty and self-determination by excluding tribal governmental programs from taxation--in effect bringing IRS treatment of the tribes in line with how they currently treat States.

CLICK HERE to Watch the Congresswoman’s Remarks in Support of H.R. 3043

The following are Congresswoman Jenkins’ remarks as prepared for delivery:

“I rise in support of H.R. 3043, the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act. 

“Under what is known as the general welfare doctrine, the IRS excludes a broad array of government services for purposes such as education, public safety, health, housing and culture from taxation.  However, this is not always the case for tribal nations. 

“Recently the IRS has challenged tribal general welfare programs despite many of these being nearly identical to tax exempt programs provided by federal, state and local governments. 

“Members of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation, the Kickapoo, Iowa and the Sac and Fox Nation in Kansas have all voiced their concerns to me about invasive IRS audits and examinations that seek to tax government programs and benefits to their members. 

“This bicameral and bipartisan legislation will positively affect many Native Americans and is an important step in bringing IRS treatment of the tribes in line with how they currently treat States. 

“I thank my friend Congressman Nunes for his leadership on this important bill and I yield back.” 

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