Sam Johnson calls on IRS to increase gas mileage rate
Promotes beginning work on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Washington,
Feb 28, 2012 -
Today, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) took to the floor of the U.S. House to call on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to increase the 2012 standard mileage gas rates in the event gas prices hit expected all-time record highs. Johnson also advocated for a comprehensive all-of-the-above strategy that includes the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Johnson sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman this week with the mileage increase request. Last year, Johnson hounded the IRS for months before the rates were raised, providing much needed relief for businesses.
Currently the IRS mileage rate is 55.5 cents for business travel and 23 cents for medical and moving purposes. The charitable rate of 14 cents is set by law. The IRS increased the optional mileage rates due to spiking gas prices in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, and again in 2008 and 2011 to combat soaring gas prices.
To read a copy of Johnson’s letter to IRS Commissioner Shulman, visit his website at samjohnson.house.gov.
To watch Johnson’s floor speech, visit his official You Tube channel here.
Johnson’s remarks follow:
“For 21 days in a row, gas prices have risen to average $3.70 per gallon – a 30-cent increase in only one month! At this rate, Americans could be forking over four bucks for a gallon of gas in no time. That’s insane.
American families and businesses are already struggling in this economy, so I’m calling on the IRS to provide relief for businesses by increasing the standard mileage rates, like it did after Hurricane Katrina, and again in 2008 and 2011.
With gas prices rising higher and faster than ever, the Administration and Congress need to take action now – beginning with the Keystone XL Pipeline estimated to bring 830,000 barrels of oil every day to U.S. refineries – and Keystone would create nearly 20,000 new American jobs.
Let’s pursue a real ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy and give Americans the security and relief they want, need and deserve.”
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