News from Representative John Lewis
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| | Dear Friends,
I wanted to take a moment to share some recent news and updates from Capitol Hill and remind you about my new satellite offices in DeKalb and Clayton counties.
Please remember that members of my staff will be able to answer questions at the Clark Harrison Building in downtown Decatur on August 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and they will be at Clayton State University’s Arbor Halltoday and on August 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or additional questions, please contact myDistrict Office at 404-659-0116.
Keep the faith,
John Lewis
Member of Congress
HELP FOR SENIORS WITH REVERSE MORTGAGES
You might have seen some of the commercials on TV that advertise “reverse mortgages.” Reverse mortgages were created by the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) in 1987. They differ from traditional mortgages, because they allow seniors to use the equity in their home to help live a more stable and independent life.
While reverse mortgages have helped many people, some seniors face serious challenges with them. Since borrowers must be 62 or older, lenders often advise some borrowers remove a younger spouse from the title. This allows borrowers to be eligible for the program or qualify for a greater loan. However, should the borrowing (and usually older) spouse die, the surviving spouse can be left in a dangerous financial situation. Upon the borrower’s death, the surviving spouse may have to pay the full balance due on the loan – up to 95% of the value of the property – just to stay in their home.
In December of last year, I led a group of my colleagues in asking Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro to change the HECM program so that it protected surviving spouses as the original law required. I also spoke up on the floor of the House of Representatives, offering an amendment to help more seniors stay in their homes.
I am pleased to say that on June 12, HUD finally announced a policy that helps end this problem. The new rule allows HUD to take over the reverse mortgages of surviving spouses, ending the threat of foreclosure. I am grateful that HUD is working with Congress to protect seniors and preserve their nest eggs.
ART COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED
On May 8, I hosted students from across the 5th District who competed in this year’s Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery. I am pleased to share that Lucia Acosta from Decatur was selected as the 5th Congressional District winner from a talented group of student artists. Her self-portrait, Holy Freckle, will be on display in the U.S. Capitol Complex along with other winners from across the country until next year. We are enjoying showing off Lucia’s artwork to our visitors.
Please click here for information on entering next year’s competition.
HOUSE PASSES TRANSPORTATION PATCH
Living in Metro Atlanta, we all know about the need to invest in our region’s transportation system. The federal government helps fund these improvements through the Highway Trust Fund. Unfortunately, this important fund expires at the end of July -- this week.
While everyone in Congress agrees on the need for a new, long-term transportation bill, we have not yet agreed on a way to pay for it. Since 1993, the federal government has taxed gasoline at 18.3 cents per gallon, and my colleagues in the House do not support raising it now. I am a cosponsor of the GROW AMERICA Act (H.R. 2410), a six-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, and I support the Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act (H.R. 1846), a bipartisan proposal to finance our nation's transportation needs.
On July 15, the House passed 312 to 119 a bill that would extend the fund to December 18. I voted for this bill, but I firmly believe that Congress must act as soon as possible for a long-term solution. We have too much on the line – American jobs, economic development, national security. I hope that this short-term extension allows Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate time to complete negotiations, already underway.
CONGRESSMAN LEWIS ON FAST TRACK
Let me be clear: I am for trade. Since NAFTA, I have opposed some agreements and supported others. But I am not for trade at any price or at any cost. Those of us on the Ways and Means Committee tried time and time again to make this legislation better. But mine and every single other Democratic amendment was rejected on a party-line vote.
I strongly oppose granting “fast track” authority unless trade agreements are on the right track to protect American workers and jobs. Congress should ensure that any free trade agreement – especially TPP – includes enforceable labor, human rights, and environmental protections while addressing and other key issues like access to medicines, food safety, and currency manipulation.
PROTECTING LGBT RIGHTS
Last month, I applauded the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment requires states, including Georgia, to license same-sex marriages and recognize those marriages performed in other states. This is another major step down a very long road toward the realization of a fair and just society.
Recently, I reintroduced the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (H.R. 2449) with Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). This bipartisan bill would prohibit any adoption or foster care agency receiving federal funds from discriminating against prospective parents on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status. It also would prohibit discrimination based on the child's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Last week, I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the Equality Act (H.R. 3185) to ensure that people cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to employment, housing, and other rights. Discrimination in every form is wrong, and I strongly believe that we must come together to create one nation and one people. We can make a country free of hate and free of fear, one that respects dignity and worth of every human being.
THE ACA REMAINS THE LAW OF THE LAND
I have sat through too many hearings with the pointed goal of questioning the legality and effectiveness of the ACA. In the June ruling for the King v. Burwell case, the Supreme Court found that subsidies set up by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are available to people in states like Georgia that rely on a federal insurance exchange. This is the second time the ACA has been upheld by the court.
Even though over 16 million people who did not have health care coverage are covered today by the ACA, and 100 million people with existing health conditions are no longer denied coverage, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives has voted more than 50 times to repeal the health care law. The Supreme Court decision should end all debate about the constitutionality of the bill Congress enacted and President Obama signed into law five years ago.
CONGRESS ACTS ON GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE
Many people have recently contacted me about reauthorizing some of the government’s surveillance programs. These powers, initially passed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks as part of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act. They were scheduled to expire in June.
As someone once targeted by our government for my own activism, I remain very sensitive to and concerned about protecting civil liberties and privacy. I voted against the original PATRIOT Act, and over the years I sponsored an amendment to protect nonviolent protestors from surveillance and voted to block bulk collections of phone records by the National Security Agency (NSA).
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015, known as the USA FREEDOM Act. The bill was proposed as a way to rein in abuses of government surveillance while still reauthorizing tools to ward off terrorist attacks. Certain progress was made to end bulk information collection, but more is needed to achieve real reform and strong checks and balances on domestic surveillance.
Although I voted against the USA FREEDOM Act, the House passed this bill in May, and the Senate followed suit. The President signed the bill into law on June 2.
CONGRESSMAN LEWIS INTRODUCES COST OF WAR ACT
In May, I reintroduced the Cost of War Act (H.R. 2376). This bill would require the Pentagon to post on its public website the cost to each American taxpayer of each of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Syria.
Experts estimate we have spent between $4 and $6 trillion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The American people have the right to know how their money is being spent. For the past three years, I have offered this legislation as an amendment, which the House has adopted unanimously each time.
I strongly believe that not only must we end the cycle of war, but, as a nation, we must also commit to providing every possible resource to support and pay tribute to Americans who served on the front lines and to support their families who care for them.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft and fraudulent transactions are growing challenges for the IRS in our district. To be safe, never give out information like your Social Security number, birth date, or passwords over the phone.
I want to share with you some information about phishing to ensure that you do not become a victim of identity theft. Phishing is a common tool identity thieves use to steal your private information. They can do this on the Internet or over the phone:
- You might get an email or visit a website that looks real but is designed to lure you into giving out sensitive information; or
- You might receive a phone call from someone pretending to be an IRS agent in order to steal your personal information.
The IRS never contacts taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media to request personal or financial information. Remember that any mail the IRS sends you goes straight to your mailing address on official agency letterhead. This includes all questions about your taxes. Most banks and credit card companies have similar procedures in place.
Please report all unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related function to phishing@irs.gov. Recent scams have used the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to attract potential victims. Also, if you've experienced any monetary losses due to an IRS-related incident, please report it to theTreasury Inspector General Administration (TIGTA) and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their Complaint Assistant to make the information available to investigators.
SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS
I’d like to remind you about my new satellite offices in DeKalb and Clayton counties. Members of my staff will be able to answer questions at the Clark Harrison Building in downtown Decatur on July 27 and August 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM, and they will be at Clayton State University’s Arbor Hall today and on August 4 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
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Washington, DC Office
343 Cannon
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3801
Fax: (202) 225-0351 | Atlanta Office
The Equitable Building
100 Peachtree St., N.W. #1920
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 659-0116
Fax: (404) 331-0947 |
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