Gabrielle Giffords represents Arizona's 8th Congressional District.

Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Construction
West-Press
Printing Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps

Opinion by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Without prompt action by the Senate and President Bush, thousands of military families in Arizona and across the country will be hit with significantly higher tax bills next year. Because of the so-called "soldier tax," more than 10,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving our country in combat zones overseas stand to lose eligibility for the earned income tax credit in 2008.

One of those soldiers is Army Spc. Adam Hebert, a constituent of mine stationed with his family at Fort Huachuca. Spc. Hebert and his wife, Mijin, have two children. During his scheduled deployment overseas next year, the Heberts will lose hundreds of dollars from their earned income tax credit if the "soldier tax" is not repealed.

Soldiers like Hebert earn between $20,000 and $24,000 each year. Tens of thousands of them are in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Current law grants tax-free status for some military compensation, including housing allowances, certain financial incentives, and imminent-danger and hostile-fire pay. However, a glitch in the tax code has effectively penalized soldiers for receiving combat pay, reducing their eligibility for the earned income tax credit.

The well-being of our troops and their families is one of my top priorities as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the representative of a congressional district that encompasses two major U.S. military installations. I will not allow a tax hike on our military men and women who are putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.

When they go into combat, the last thing they need to worry about is their tax return. That is why I introduced the Combat Troops Tax Relief Act, H.R. 3808, to permanently repeal the "soldier tax."

On Tuesday by a vote of 410 to 0, the House passed my provision to repeal the "soldier tax" as part of a comprehensive tax package. We honored our soldiers' patriotism and commitment with more than empty rhetoric. The unanimous vote was an overwhelming statement of support for our men and women in uniform. No man or woman in uniform should ever be penalized for their service overseas.

Now the Senate and White House must act immediately to make soldier tax relief the law of the land.

In 1975, Congress enacted the earned income tax credit (EITC) to provide much-needed tax relief for low- and moderate-income families. Those who are eligible for the EITC receive tax credits or refunds that range from $100 to more than $4,500 and vary depending on the size of the family and the level of earned income. Millions of Americans and more than 150,000 military personnel depend on the EITC every year to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, many of the dedicated military personnel who face deployments next year are at grave risk of losing this tax benefit.

This situation is inequitable and inconsistent with our nation's commitment to those who fight to preserve our freedom. The men and women who choose to serve our country in the armed forces do so with great personal courage and conviction and without the expectation of financial reward.

They willingly accept the hardships that come with military service. They spend long periods of time away from their homes and loved ones to defend our country. When these soldiers go into combat, they should have confidence that they can afford to take care of their families.

Every day, they put themselves in harm's way so that the rest of us don't have to. Our men in uniform deserve nothing less than our full support. They have earned it.