Wilson Urges Adoption Tax Credit Extension

Press Release

Wilson Urges Adoption Tax Credit Extension

Congresswoman Heather Wilson is urging House consideration of the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007, which she has cosponsored, to make permanent the $10,000 child adoption tax credit before it expires in 2010.

Wilson, former Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, today announced she has signed a bipartisan letter to the Ways and Means Committee urging action on the bill. There is broad support in the House for the legislation, which provides a $10,000 per child tax credit.

The tax credit policy encourages average-income American families to consider adoption, despite the expense of the process and the yearly costs of raising a child.

"A loving family makes a world of difference in a child's life," Wilson said. "This important tax credit helps many families realistically consider adoption."

The bill has the support of 125 bipartisan members of the House. The letter, signed by dozens of lawmakers, was sent today to Rep. Charles Rangel, Ways and Means Committee Chairman, and Rep. Jim McCrery, Ranking Republican on the Committee.

Text is attached below:

Dear Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery:

We respectfully request that the House Committee on Ways and Means consider H.R. 471, the "Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007," during the 110th Congress. This important legislation will make permanent the $10,000 child adoption tax credit currently set to expire in 2010.

The desire to see children grow up in healthy, happy environments with loving parents knows no party boundaries. To this end, Congress originally passed and President Clinton signed a $5,000 tax credit ($6,000 for domestic special-needs adoptions) per adoptive family. This credit was set to expire in December 2001. In May 2001, Congress took steps to extend this credit to 2010 and increase the tax credit to $10,000. We are once again facing a looming deadline that threatens to compromise the ability of average American families to adopt.

This legislation has been well received by many Members of Congress. It currently has 125 cosponsors, 12 whom sit on the Committee on Ways and Means. We are hopeful that this legislation will be enacted and make the dream of family a permanent reality for many Americans.

We appreciate your work on behalf of the loving parents desiring to expand their families, and we respectfully urge you hold a hearing on this important legislation at the earliest possible date.

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