CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN DELIVERS RELIEF FOR HUDSON VALLEY FLOOD VICTIMS, LEADS THE CHARGE IN HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE "FEDERAL DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT"

Congressman Pat Ryan Delivers Relief for Hudson Valley Flood Victims, Leads the Charge in House Passage of the “Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act”

After Speaker Johnson refused to bring bill to floor last week, Ryan led first successful discharge petition since 2015 to force a vote on bill

Legislation provides direct tax relief for victims of flooding, including Hudson Valley families impacted by last July’s catastrophic flood

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan led the charge to pass the “Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act,” landmark legislation that would deliver economic relief to disaster victims across the country, including Hudson Valley families impacted by last July’s catastrophic flood. Last week, Congressman Ryan delivered the pivotal 218th signature on a House discharge petition to override Speaker Mike Johnson’s block on the bill and force a vote on it on the House floor. It was the first successful discharge petition since 2015. The legislation would provide direct tax relief for victims of flooding and applies retroactively, meaning that victims of the July 2023 floods would be eligible, as well as victims of Hurricane Ida.   

“For many families in Orange County, last year’s devastating flood is a nightmare that continues to this day – they’re facing a huge economic burden they can’t possibly shoulder alone. The federal government needs to step up. That’s why I’ve kept pushing to force this bill onto the House floor, and today, proudly led a wide bipartisan majority to deliver desperately needed relief,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I don’t care how many roadblocks get put up, or what political party is in charge of Congress; I’ll keep fighting with everything I’ve got to deliver for Hudson Valley families.”

Under current law, tax deductions for personal casualty loss are only available if the losses exceed 10% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. Current law also requires deductions to be itemized to access any relief. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act removes these barriers, allowing above the line tax deductions for personal casualty loss regardless of income, and without the need for itemization. For example, without this legislation, if a married couple making $90,000 suffered $20,000 in uninsured casualty losses, they would only be able to claim the standard deduction of $29,200. With this legislation, the couple would also be able to claim a $20,000 deduction for the casualty losses, leading to a nearly $50,000 reduction to their taxable income. Said differently, this change ensures the government will lower families’ tax liability to account for their actual losses from the flood, allowing them to receive desperately needed economic relief.  

This legislation, if signed into law, would apply retroactively to Major Disasters, meaning that victims of the July 2023 floods would be eligible, as well as victims of Hurricane Ida. 

After a bill has been introduced and referred to a standing committee for 30 days, a member of the House can file a motion to have the bill discharged, or released, from consideration by the committee. In order to do this, a majority of the House (218 voting members, not delegates) must sign the petition. Once a discharge petition reaches 218 members, after several legislative days, the House considers the motion to discharge the legislation. If the vote passes (by all those who signed the petition in the first place), then the House officially adopts the legislation. The last successful discharge petition in the House of Representatives was in 2015. 

Since last July’s catastrophic flooding hit the Hudson Valley, Congressman Pat Ryan has strongly advocated for individual relief for victims who were denied assistance. In September 2023, Ryan condemned FEMA’s denial of Individual Assistance to Hudson Valley flood victims and pushed Governor Hochul to appeal the decision. 

FEMA’s denial came only weeks after Ryan questioned FEMA Administrator Criswell directly at a House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing about how to prevent individuals from falling in between the cracks of support systems. At the hearing, Ryan also requested that FEMA provide Individual Assistance for Orange County flood victims and urged Criswell to personally come to the Hudson Valley to hear from families impacted by the storm. 

The entirety of Ryan’s remarks at the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on Economic Development can be found here. 

In the aftermath of the July 2023 flooding, Congressman Ryan and his office worked around the clock to deliver relief for impacted families. Ryan formed a coalition of community partners and mobilized his Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van to hold a series of events to deliver flood recovery resources directly to constituents in communities impacted by the flood.

Ryan visited communities throughout Orange County to assess the damage, meet residents impacted by the storm, and partner with state, local, and federal leaders on a coordinated response. Ryan’s staff also volunteered at the Red Cross shelter in Highland Falls and will continue to be on the ground for additional support.

On July 14th, Ryan joined Congressman Lawler in a bipartisan call for a Major Disaster Declaration, which was approved by President Biden on July 22nd.

On August 4th, Congressman Ryan announced the re-opening of the Popolopen Bridge, a key access point connecting Route 9W and the surrounding counties. Funds provided by the Major Disaster Declaration were critical for the bridge to re-open only four weeks after flooding damage closed it. The project was originally expected to take months to fix and had caused significant traffic disruption, and slowed economic activity.

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