Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863) reported out favorably from the House Ways and Means Committee. This legislation includes the East Palestine Tax Relief Act, introduced by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and cosponsored by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), to ensure East Palestine, Ohio, residents and businesses are exempt from paying taxes on disaster relief payments they received following the train derailment on February 3, 2023.

"The residents of East Palestine, and other victims of natural disasters throughout the country, have to rebuild their lives – they should not have the added stress of paying taxes on the vital relief they are receiving to aid in that process," said Rep. Brad Wenstrup. "This bill will help make sure these Ohioans can focus on recovering, not worrying about the IRS."