Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) cosponsored the East Palestine Tax Relief Act, which Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) introduced to help ensure East Palestine residents and businesses who receive disaster relief payments following the East Palestine train derailment on February 3, 2023, are exempt from paying taxes on any compensation related to the derailment.

"I’m thankful that no lives were lost in this unfortunate accident, but I am greatly concerned that this will have negative impacts on residents’ health and livelihoods both now and in the foreseeable future. These residents need immediate assistance and I commend Representative Johnson for introducing this legislation to make sure East Palestine residents do not have to pay taxes on any relief payments received due to the train derailment," said Rep. Brad Wenstrup.

"Residents and businesses in East Palestine are focused on getting back to normal following the train derailment. Their lives have been upended by no fault of their own," said Rep. Bill Johnson. "The East Palestine Tax Relief Act will ensure those thrust into this unfortunate situation will not have to pay taxes on any relief payments they rightfully received. I urge my colleagues to support the village of East Palestine by taking this legislation up for a vote in the coming weeks."

The bipartisan East Palestine Tax Relief Act was cosponsored by Ohio Representatives Jim Jordan, Bob Latta, Max Miller, Warren Davidson, Mike Turner, Troy Balderson, Emilia Strong Sykes, Dave Joyce, and Mike Carey.

Click here to read the full bill.

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