Natural disasters: They just keep coming. In this episode, learn about the disaster relief bill that will soon be law, get an update from Puerto Rico from a member of the Coast Guard, and look into a few new laws that included disaster relief provisions with special guests Jessica Rhodes and Margy Feldhuhn. Also, get the scoop on the existential crisis that Congressional Dish has been experiencing and get a preview of exciting new changes coming soon to your favorite Congress-focused podcast. Please support Congressional Dish Click here to contribute using credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD128: Crisis in Puerto Rico CD147: Controlling Puerto Rico Bills Outline H.R. 3823: Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 Title I: Federal Aviation Programs & Title II: Aviation Revenue Provisions Authorizes funding for Federal Aviation Administration projects and operations through March 31, 2018 Title III: Expiring Health Provisions Funds public and private teaching health centers that provide graduate medical education programs and a diabetes program for Indians until March 31 Extends a Medicare program providing in-home treatment of immune diseases until the end of 2020 Cuts the Medicare Improvement Fund, by $50 million per year. Title V: Tax Relief for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria If people affected by the hurricanes want to withdraw up to $100,000 before January 1, 2019 from their retirement accounts, the 10% tax on early withdrawals from retirement plans will not apply. The money can be repaid within 3 years People with employer plans can get loans from the retirement funds for up to $100,000 (double the usual amount) until December 31, 2018. They will get an extra year to pay it back. Allows employers whose employees were affected by the hurricanes to get a 40% tax credit for wages paid to employees who couldn't work up to $6,000 per person Current law allows tax deductions for charitable contributions to churches, private organizations, hospitals, & other organizations as long as these don't make up more than 50% of that person's charitable donations for the year. This is waived until the end of 2017 for donations made for Harvey, Irma, and Maria relief. This will not be waived if the donation is to a private foundation or to a new fund Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico The Secretary of the Treasury will give the US Virgin Islands money equal to their revenue losses from the hurricane. The government of the US Virgin Islands will determine the amount Puerto Rico will be given money based on estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury for what Puerto Rico would have been given if they had the same tax code. Puerto Rico will not be given the money until Puerto Rico submits a plan that is approved by the Secretary of the Treasury for distributing the payments to the residents. S. 1866: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Education Relief Act of 2017 Waives Federal matching requirements for universities & higher education schools that were affected by the hurricanes or have students affected by the hurricanes. Gives Project SERV money (Project School Emergency Response to Violence, which helps schools recover from traumatic events) on a equitable basis to private schools H.R. 2266: Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2017 (and the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act of 2017) Division A: Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act of 2017 Appropriates $18.67 billion to the DHS and FEMA for their disaster relief fund $4.9 billion will be for loans to local governments to provide essential services needed as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria Appropriates $526.5 million t