Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, May 17, 2001

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Thursday, May 1 7, 200 1 202/225-306 1 Congressman Ehrlich Honors Mothers’ Day with Adoption Assistance Vote WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2), voted today for legislation that eases the financial burdens of the adoption process and helps unite foster children with loving families. Congressman Ehrlich cosponsored H.R. 622, the Hope for Children Act of 2001, which was enacted by the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. H.R. 622 doubles the adoption tax credit, which is set to expire this year, to $10,000 for all adoptions and doubles the employer adoption assistance exclusion to $10,000. The credit is also exempted from the Alternative Minimum Tax, a little-known, yet burdensome tax that targets the tax credits of millions of American families. If the Hope for Children Act is signed into law this year, adopting families can claim the $10,000 tax credit beginning with their 2002 tax returns. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “In honor of Mothers’ Day, my colleagues and I have voted to bring foster children one step closer to the permanent, loving home of which they have always dreamt.” The Hope for Children Act includes all adoptions - both domestic and international. Qualifying expenses that may be claimed on tax returns include adoption fees, corn! costs, attorney fees, and traveling expenses. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “For too long, the financial constraints of the adoption process have prevented many couples from adopting a child in need. This vote lowers those barriers in our tax code so more families can open their homes and their hearts to a waiting child.” ###