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HOUSE LAWMAKERS REQUEST FUEL FRAUD REPEAL Alexandria, VA, April 26, 2012 – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauds the efforts of U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA) in spearheading a letter to Representative Dave Camp (R-MI), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, requesting his support in repealing a provision known as “fuel fraud” that is part of the final highway reauthorization bill. The letter was signed by 32 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Since October 1, 2005, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund has been deprived of critical funding because the fuel fraud provision allowed non commercial jet fuel taxes to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund,” explained NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne. “The IRS process for fuel vendors is voluntary, allowing taxes intended for the Airport and Airways Trust Fund to remain in the Highway Trust Fund. “This diversion of aviation fuel taxes has cost the Airport and Airway Trust Fund approximately $50 million annually and is anticipated to cost another $500 million over the next ten years. “NATA member companies have been heavily burdened by the IRS fuel vendor process, often resulting in extensive audits and the ultimate decision not to file for the fuel tax refund. We greatly appreciate the support of all 32 House Members on an issue that is so important to the association’s membership and the aviation trust fund.” In addition to Reps. Graves and Barrow, the letter was signed by several members of the House General Aviation Caucus, including Reps. Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Andy Harris (R-MD), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Howard Coble (R-NC), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), John Carter (R-TX), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Billy Long (R-MO), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Bill Flores (R-TX), Chip Cravaack (R-MN), Bob Filner (D-CA), Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Todd Rokita (R-IN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Gene Green (D-TX), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Ron Paul (R-TX), Daniel Lungren (R-CA), Tom Latham (R-IA) and Lou Barletta (R-PA). # # # NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies. |