Overseas Americans
Millions of Americans, including military personnel and civilians, live and work across the world. Although they live overseas, many of these U.S. citizens continue to vote and pay taxes in the U.S. Whether or not they work for American businesses overseas, they help increase exports of American goods and services because they traditionally buy American goods, sell American goods, and create business opportunities for U.S. companies and workers. Their role in strengthening the U.S. economy, creating jobs in the United States, and extending American influence around the globe is vital to the well-being of our nation.
In the 110th Congress Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) and I founded the Americans Abroad Caucus. The purpose of this bi-partisan caucus is to provide a forum for discussion of the issues that are important to overseas Americans including citizenship, census, voting, banking access, and taxation. These citizens have the right to vote in local, state and national elections but unfortunately they often experience difficulties ranging from learning and meeting the requirements imposed by fifty-five states and territories, to obtaining the mailing addresses and phone numbers to request a ballot, to receiving that ballot before the deadlines have passed. These overseas Americans also have the right to be counted in the decennial census.
Most recently, in response to reports that Americans citizens living abroad are being routinely denied foreign and domestic banking services, I have sent letters to the Treasury Department, in both the previous and current administrations. I continue to chair the Caucus and advocate for the unique concerns of overseas Americans.
Legislation
08/01/2012 - H.R. 6263, Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act [112th Congress]
05/18/2012 - H.R. 5828, To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act [112th Congress]
03/26/09 - H.R.1739, Overseas Voting Practical Amendments Act of 2009 [111th Congress]
03/23/09 - H.R.1659, Fixing the Federal Voting Assistance Program Act of 2009 [111th Congress]
10/03/08 - H.R.726, Fixing the Federal Voting Assistance Program Act of 2008 [110th Congress]
11/15/07 - H.R.4237, Overseas Voting Practical Amendments Act of 2007 [110th Congress]
Documents/Reports
05/18/2010 - Letter to AXA Bank in Switzerland regarding its policy to not offer any accounts to U.S. citizens
02/24/2010 - Response from Secretary Timothy Geithner
09/21/2009 - Response from Secretary Timothy Geithner
05/27/2009 - Letter to Secretary Timothy Geithner
04/16/2008 - Response from Secretary James Freis, Jr.
Links
American Domestic Violence Crisis Line
