Four U.S. Representatives have rallied 89 of their colleagues to join them in calling for House leadership to exempt Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act grant funds from federal taxation in the next possible legislative vehicle. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and John Rose (R-TN) led the effort over the past two weeks, and motorcoach operators across the country did their part, emailing and calling their U.S. Representatives asking them to sign the letter.
“Our motorcoach and passenger vessels are a cornerstone of our tourism and hospitality industries on the central coast of California, but they are struggling to recover from the financial hits that they took during the pandemic,” said Rep. Panetta. “Although Congress was able to help that industry with the CERTS Act grants, more needs to be done to ensure its full recovery. A tax exemption for those specific relief grants would strengthen the foundation not just for the survival of the motorcoach, school bus, and passenger vessel industry, but also for its continued success as an important part of our community and economy.”
United Motorcoach Association Chairman Jeff Polzien praised the House Members for their leadership on behalf of the bus and motorcoach industry, an integral part of the country’s transportation network.
“UMA thanks Representatives Panetta, LaHood, Sires and Rose for their outstanding leadership on this issue, the other 89 Members of the House of Representatives who joined them in this effort, and the many hundreds of members of UMA who engaged directly with their elected representatives. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to see the tax exemption become law,” Polzien said.
Fairness issue
Supporting the industry that is just beginning to rebound from the devastating impact of the pandemic shutdowns is the right thing to do, said Scott Michael, UMA President and CEO.
“This is a matter of fairness,” Michael said of the tax exemption. “Similar industry relief program grants to restaurants and shuttered venues are already exempted from federal taxation. It’s not surprising there is so much bipartisan support for this measure to be codified in the next possible legislative action. Our industry is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Panetta, LaHood, Sires, and Rose.
“We know many motorcoach operators do not expect to return to ‘normal’ business until sometime in 2023,” Michael said. “Exempting these struggling businesses from paying back a large portion of these emergency grants in taxes will hasten their recovery.”
The CERTS Act, with $2 billion in funding, was signed into law in December of 2020 and funds were dispersed to grant applicants beginning in August of 2021. The industries assisted by the grants include passenger vessels and school buses in addition to motorcoach companies.
The following House Members are on the record in support of exempting the CERTS funds from federal taxation (*indicates original signer):
Rep. Jimmy Panetta*
Rep. Darin LaHood*
Rep. Albio Sires*
Rep. John Rose*
Rep. Jodey Arrington
Rep. Cindy Axne
Rep. Jack Bergman
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Rep. Mike Bost
Rep. Anthony G. Brown
Rep. John R. Carter
Rep. Matt Cartwright
Rep. Ed Case
Rep. Judy Chu
Rep. Joe Courtney
Rep. Angie Craig
Rep. Henry Cuellar
Rep. Rodney Davis
Rep. Madeleine Dean
Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro
Rep. Antonio Delgado
Rep. Debbie Dingell
Rep. Tom Emmer
Rep. Randy Feenstra
Rep. Michelle Fischbach
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick
Rep. Jesús G. “Chuy” García
Rep. Jimmy Gomez
Rep. Josh Gottheimer
Rep. Jim Hagedorn
Rep. Dr. Andy Harris
Rep. Jahana Hayes
Rep. Brian Higgins
Rep. Ashley Hinson
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
Rep. Bill Huizenga
Rep. John Katko
Rep. Mike Kelly
Rep. Daniel T. Kildee
Rep. Andy Kim
Rep. Doug LaMalfa
Rep. Conor Lamb
Rep. James R. Langevin
Rep. John B. Larson
Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Zoe Lofgren
Rep. Alan Lowenthal
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer
Rep. Tom Malinowski
Rep. Kathy Manning
Rep. Betty McCollum
Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E.
Rep. Peter Meijer
Rep. Carol D. Miller
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.
Rep. John R. Moolenaar
Rep. Dan Newhouse
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Rep. Ilhan Omar
Rep. Chris Pappas
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr
Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Rep. Dean Phillips
Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett
Rep. Mark Pocan
Rep. Bill Posey
Rep. David Price
Rep. Mike Quigley
Rep. Tom Reed
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
Rep. Hal Rogers
Rep. Deborah K. Ross
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Rep. Michael F.Q. San Nicolas
Rep. Terri Sewell
Rep. Mikie Sherrill
Rep. Christopher H. Smith
Rep. Pete Stauber
Rep. Haley Stevens
Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi
Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson
Rep. Paul D. Tonko
Rep. Jefferson Van Drew
Rep. Tim Walberg
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
Rep. Peter Welch
Rep. Jennifer Wexton
Rep. Susan Wild
Rep. Joe Wilson
Rep. Don Young
Rep. Lee Zeldin
About UMA
The United Motorcoach Association is the nation’s largest organization exclusively protecting and promoting the interests and welfare of privately-owned bus and motorcoach companies. Members include motorcoach owners and industry suppliers. For more information about UMA, upcoming events, membership, and important legislative information, please visit www.uma.org.
