Cornyn, Central Texas Non-Profits Call On Congressional Leaders To Address High Food & Fuel Prices

Press Release

Cornyn, Central Texas Non-Profits Call On Congressional Leaders To Address High Food & Fuel Prices

Senator Announces Support for Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Relief to Non-Profits and Volunteers

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today visited the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas and met with staff and volunteers to discuss the burden high fuel and food prices are having on area non-profits and their ability to deliver assistance to those in need. Sen. Cornyn was joined by Capital Area Food Bank President David Davenport and representatives from several local non-profits, including Meals on Wheels and More, Giddings Food Pantry, Helping Hands Ministries, Foreman Pop Philips Reaching Out Center, and Store House Food Pantry. In addition, Sen. Cornyn announced he is backing the Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act, (S.3421), legislation to provide increased tax relief to individuals who donate their time to charitable organizations.

"I commend the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Capital Area Food Bank and the other non-profits I met with today. These individuals are committed to helping Central Texas families in need. Unfortunately, non-profits are not immune to the burden of high food and fuel prices. As energy and food prices rise, the need for assistance from low-income families is growing. At the same time, non-profits are facing higher operational costs, and challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers due to the high cost of transportation.

"I was pleased to announce my support for legislation aimed at bringing relief specifically to non-profits like the Capital Area Food Bank and their volunteers as they struggle with high energy and food prices. The Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act would increase the deduction rate for individuals who use their personal vehicles for charitable work. This rate has not been updated in more than a decade. I'm confident this legislation will go a long way toward encouraging the spirit of volunteerism that is central to the commendable efforts of non-profit organizations," Sen. Cornyn said.

"I will continue to work in Congress to push for bipartisan action to address high food and fuel prices. I support a temporary freeze on food-to-fuel mandates to allow food prices to return to an affordable level. I also have been pushing for increased domestic energy production to bring down prices at the pump and make America more energy independent. I hope Congressional leaders will move swiftly to tackle these pressing issues."

Capital Area Food Bank of Texas President & CEO David Davenport said:

"With gasoline and grocery prices challenging Central Texas families, our partners in hunger relief are now serving more and more first-time clients at soup kitchens and food pantries. Families and individuals who have never had to ask for help in the past are now seeking emergency food assistance. We are thankful for the efforts of thousands of volunteers, our Partner Agencies, donors and our talented staff for the important work done every day to meet a growing and complicated need in our community. We are also thankful for the efforts of Senator Cornyn and the Texas congressional delegation for their continued support."

Background:
The Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act, S. 3421:

* Sen. Cornyn will be the lead Republican cosponsor of the Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act.
* The charitable mileage tax deduction for individuals who use their personal vehicles for charitable work has not been increased in more than a decade.
* This new bill will level the playing field with business mileage deductions, which are based on a variable rate that is adjusted each year by the Internal Revenue Service.

Ethanol Mandate:

* Sen. Cornyn is disappointed with the Environmental Protection Agency's recent decision to deny Texas' request to cut the federal ethanol mandate.
* Since this mandate was implemented, the livestock industry in Texas has faced historically high feed costs, which in turn is causing a ripple effect on the prices of other agriculture products.
* As a result, the cost burden is being shifted to consumers and organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank.
* Sen. Cornyn has and will continue to push in Congress for a temporary freeze on food-to-fuel mandates.
* He believes such a freeze will allow time for a reassessment of how to boost renewable fuel research and production without shifting the cost burden to consumers, and also time for food prices to return to an affordable level.

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