Dear Friends,
This week we witnessed the closure of the Los Angeles Unified School District. On Wednesday, several schools in the area cancelled classes due to a threat. The terrorist attack in San Bernardino struck too close to home.
I've heard from many of you regarding your worries and concerns about the safety of your families.
As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and your Representative, the safety of our community and nation is my first concern. I've advanced several pieces of legislation to secure our homeland and bolster our defenses against those who wish to harm us.
Terrorists are exploiting social media to recruit supporters, radicalize, raise money and spread fear. Yet U.S. government efforts have not adapted to counter this ‘virtual caliphate.’ As we learned from the San Bernardino terrorist attack, ignoring the online statements of terrorists only puts Americans at risk. We must stop terrorists from hijacking social networks for their twisted purposes. That's why the House Foreign Affairs Committee under my leadership and the House of Representatives advanced bipartisan legislation to require the Obama administration to get serious about this threat, and lay out a comprehensive strategy to keep America safe.
I've also voted for the Visa Waiver Improvement Act of 2015. Today we know that up to 5,000 Europeans have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside ISIS. We can’t allow these foreign fighters easy access to the United States.This bipartisan, common-sense change to the law which has been passed ensures that those who’ve traveled to a terror hotspot must pass thorough background checks before being cleared to travel to the U.S. And it will give our law enforcement new tools to detect fraud and stolen passports.
Protecting its citizens is the first and foremost duty of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It remains my first priority as your Representative.
Sincerely,
Ed Royce |
News for Dec. 11 - Dec. 18, 2015
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Chairman Royce Anti-Hezbollah Measure Heads to President's Desk
This week, the House passed H.R. 2297, the Hezbollah International Financial Prevention Act of 2015. The legislation, authored by Chairman Royce, strengthens economic sanctions against Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that continues to pose a threat to the United States, our allies, and interests throughout the Middle East and beyond. The legislation, which passed by 425 to 0, now heads to the President’s desk to become law.
“Under President Obama’s nuclear deal, Iran will soon hit a jackpot worth tens of billions of dollars. Even the president admits this ‘windfall’ of cash will go to activities and groups, including its main terror proxy Hezbollah, that pose ‘a threat to us, and a threat to our allies.’ This bill cracks down on Hezbollah’s fundraising efforts, its operations in Syria, and its efforts to carry out hostilities against the United States and our ally Israel. I urge the president to quickly sign this legislation into law," said Chairman Royce.
A section-by-section summary of the House-passed legislation is available HERE.
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Rep. Royce Accepting "Congressional App Challenge" Applicants
Rep. Royce is excited to announce the opening of the 2016 Congressional Stem Competition: House App Contest.
High school students can participate in the competition by developing or designing a mobile application on a platform of their choice.
The 2016 Congressional App Challenge submission period will run through January 15, 2016, culminating in an exhibition and judging event on February 7, 2016. 39th District winners will be selected by a panel of local judges and recognized by Rep. Royce, in addition to having their final product featured on display in the U.S. Capitol building.
Students, teachers, and administrators interested in entering the competition can do so by clicking here, or contacting Stephanie Hu from Rep. Royce's office at Stephanie.Hu@mail.house.gov or (626) 964-5123.
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| Royce Supports Permanent Tax Relief for CA Families and Businesses |
This week, Rep. Royce voted for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, a landmark $629 billion tax relief package.
"The more you tax something, the less of it you get. That's why lowering taxes on economic productivity and Americans' take-home pay is so critical. California's businesses and families should be able to keep more of what they earn, it's as simple as that," said Rep. Royce. "This legislation makes certain temporary tax breaks permanent, encourages more investments in research and development, and lays the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform.”
The PATH Act includes a number of provisions to lower the tax burden on Californians and the state's small businesses. Included in the legislation are:
• Research and development (R&D) credits – Allows a company to deduct from their tax liability the amount of their R&D expenditures.
• Section 179 - Allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year.
• Employer wage credit for employees on active duty - Employers receive a tax credit of 20% on wages paid, up to $20,000 for a maximum credit of $4,000, for the time the employee is on active duty.
• Deduction for teacher classroom expenses – Allows a teacher to deduct from his or her income tax liability any classroom supplies he or she personally purchased.
• 100% exclusion on gains from the sale of small business stock – Money earned from the sale of small business stocks is exempted from federal income taxes.
• Food inventory deduction – Allows individuals to deduct the cost of food purchased and donated to food banks.
• IRA charitable rollover - Allows individuals to deduct charitable donations from their IRA Program Integrity Requirements.
• Section 174 - Imposes a two-year moratorium (through calendar year 2017) of the 2.3% medical device excise tax included in Obamacare.
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| Royce Office Accepting Summer 2016 Internship Applications |
Rep. Royce's Washington, Brea, and Rowland Heights offices are currently accepting candidates for Summer 2016 internships.
These internships are highly selective, and offer participants a first-hand look at the legislative and political process. Interns are given a wide variety of tasks and leave with a greater, more practical understanding of the legislative branch of government. Interns preform legislative research, attend hearings, answer phones, read mail, give tours of the U.S. Capitol, attend events in the district and much more.
Candidates may learn more and apply here. |
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