Voting to Encourage Charity

Press Release

The U.S. House of Representatives moved to pass H.R. 644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act. This legislation promotes charitable giving through tax breaks for people and organizations that give to local food banks by making permanent a food-inventory donation provision in the tax code. John Ratcliffe (TX-04) has supported and voted in favor of this tax-reducing bill.

"Moving to eliminate the tax burden for hard working Americans has always been one of my driving motivations as an elected official. While I was a mayor of Heath, Texas, I was able to keep the budget balanced and taxes low through good governance. This legislation provides a permanent reduction in taxes for charitable donations. It also encourages charitable giving to organizations that help my constituents, like Harvest Texarkana," said Ratcliffe.

Camille C. Wrinkle, CEO/Executive Director of Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank, INC added that, "as a food bank that serves a large number of rural, low-income families, Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank is constantly seeking additional resources for hunger relief. The expansion of these charitable deductions, will allow for more food to be given to our food bank and to the 60,000 food insecure individuals we reach throughout a ten county are in Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas. Any incentive that increases our food inventory has a direct, positive impact on the mostly working poor families, seniors and children we serve."

Mr. Ratcliffe added, "I will continue to work to reduce taxes for my constituents. At the heart of America is a spirit of generosity. I'm grateful to vote in favor of compassion."

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