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Lawmakers Plot To Limit Travel Abroad And At Home
As we make plans for summer travel abroad and at home, concerns turn to the cost of fuel and how it might affect our projected budget. When studying global destination information, we focus on security matters, currency exchange rates and tips from trusted sources. Getting a good handle on all these topics is part of the travel process.
Now, a new concern may affect some travelers. A transportation bill making its way through Congress could allow the federal government to prevent Americans who owe back taxes from leaving the country.
The provision is part of Senate Bill 1813, also called the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in November and passed by the Senate on March 14. This far-reaching transportation bill allows the federal government to revoke the passports of citizens the IRS claims owe taxes.
Aimed at those who have a seriously delinquent tax debt in excess of $50,000, even if passed, the new law would not affect most people. Still, there are those that fear fundamental rights possessed by Americans to travel, unrestricted, within the USA borders who may be up for review.
"Be aware that once they allow the IRS to block international travel is there one among us who does not believe it will then be extended to travel within the United States?" asks the Beaufort Observer.
"We anticipated some of the terrible provisions; others were simply shocking in scope and shortsightedness," Rails to Trails (RTC) said in a statement urging us to contact our representatives now, using an online form, and ask that they speak to colleagues on the US House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee.
Given a moment to breathe, on March 29, two days before the previous extension of our nation's multi-year surface transportation bill expired, congress passed another 90-day extension.
But what the future will bring for international travel by those who owe taxes – or even domestic travel by someone simply looking for a new place to hike – is unknown right now.
On the international travel front, Forbes says, "If he were in charge of travel, the Soup Nazi might say, 'No Passport for you!'" In real life, travel may seem unrelated to taxes, except perhaps for those annoying airport taxes on international destinations. But a bigger tax and travel connection could keep you at home – permanently."
Rails to Trails believes in rights to partake in domestic hiking, backpacking, riding and walking. "For a tiny sliver of transportation funds – less than 2 percent – these programs have provided affordable, healthy transportation options, generated jobs and economic development and preserved historic and environmental assets that provide the quality of life that Americans want and deserve," Kevin Mills, vice president of programming at RTC told Gadling late last year.
[Flickr photo by Moyan Brenn]
Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Europe, North America, United States, Camping, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
John Apr 12th 2012 9:34AM
This is the 100th birthday of the IRS. How did we get through our first 136 years without them?
ng Apr 12th 2012 11:10AM
An attempt to limit rights for Americans is the first step on the slippery slope.
This is just an excuse for government control as outlined in the new world order.
I never believed that was real, but this a chipping away of rights...............
Citizens should be the last to lose their rights.
Huxter Apr 12th 2012 9:53AM
Gee, I didnt realize that anyone would be so bold or so stupid as to try to do the ol' Eastern Bloc thing. Hmmmm, lets go back a bit. Hope Uncle is ready for all the OTHER things that transpired within Bloc during that period. Living creatures, two-leggers or four-leggers seem to have this inborn "thing" about being confined or restrained. But, Golly Gee Willikers, Wally, maybe I'm naiive. Maybe its just me. Stand Up , America. Hello?? America????? Is anybody out there???? Huxter .
Connie Apr 12th 2012 9:59AM
So if you owe back taxes, you can't leave the country? So do people like buffett, john kerry and timmy geithner get waivers on this?
George Apr 12th 2012 10:04AM
George Orwell's 1984 appears quietly, one step at a time to envoke socialism (or whatever you want to call it Adolph). If you restrict those who owe back taxes the next step is for one reason after another until you have no rights.
I agree, time to clean sweep congress but won't happen since a vast majority of voters seem to vote with their heads in the sand or some other place where the sun does not shine.
Huxter Apr 12th 2012 10:10AM
and, in addtion.....I hate to repeat in forum what Ive already ready said REPEATEDLY about our wonderful current administration-----------TAR-----FEATHERS--------RAIL...........its not too late....its really not. Screw the Million-man OR woman March going to D.C. How about a "Several- Million- American-Man-Woman-and Child MARCH?????? I agree with another post entirely-----OUR FOUNDING FATHERS would be absolutely disgraced to see whats going on RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT. I guarantee, they'd just let out a long sad sigh, then say, "ok, everybody. On the ships, and hurry. We cannot build any life in such a place with these horrid people. We must either rid this beautiful land of them like sweeping away a disease,or find a place where our principles, and, oh, yeah, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES can be lived, honored, and, respected." Shame on you!!!!!! Huxter
Canoeal Apr 12th 2012 10:11AM
Does that include the members of Congress?
Huxter Apr 12th 2012 10:20AM
yup....probably all incumbents in House, Senate, the big white house, and, sadly, EVERYONE associated with them. Clean slate. Their entourages either have a direct hand in all of it, or, are guilty by association.Stand up NOW, folks. The clock's been ticking for quite a while now.......... Huxter
Jay Love Apr 12th 2012 11:11AM
It figures OF COURSE, that this Marxist bill would be sponsored by a Progressive/Communist such as Barbara Boxer, D - La, La, Land (California) the champion of of restrictive, big government causes on all fronts? after having read this was who wrote this stupid bill and that it even got traction in the equally stupid Senate, which is also controlled, (narrowly thank god) by other fringe Progressive/Communist type people, I was relieved somewhat by the knowledge this bill will never see the light of day beyond the Senate chambers as it will have to go before the house of representatives before it can ever actually become a real law and pass its way on to the desk of Barack Hussien Obummer, of which we could be sure he would sign such a breach of Americans rights of movements and travel? don't get me wrong its not tax cheats I want to protect, they should have to pay their fair share of taxes, or be jailed? but to pass a law that goes against everything we Americans believe in, individual rights and government that isn't tracking and restricking our movements is simply Un-American and Un-Constitutional at its root? also its a slippery sloap to further laws restricting our movements and freedoms within our own country and God only knows what else to come later on? Nix this beast before it can draw a breath!!
todd Apr 12th 2012 11:28AM
the freedom of movement is a constitutionally guaranteed freedom. we already have laws to imprison tax cheats. that is how they got capone. imprison the tax cheats, and don't water down the constitution.
ele3780 Apr 12th 2012 12:45PM
An other great bill from boxer. This woman has so many shady deal that has benefited her friends and supporter that is unbelievable, it's obscene. All of congress should have their travel restricted. This layer of aristocracy must be brought down.
Grace Apr 12th 2012 12:50PM
Let's see. People don't say one word when deadbeat dads who don't pay child support can't get driver's licenses or any other benefits. I gusss it's ok for tax cheats to just up and leave huh? If you pay your taxes you have nothing to worry about. So it's not restricting my freedom or yours. Same with all of this security stuff, if you haven't done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about either.
GraceCFL Apr 12th 2012 12:49PM
Hmmmm I don't see anyone screaming about freedom when a deadbeat dad is told to pay up or else can't get a driver's license or passport. It's ok for him not to get it, but it's ok for people who don't pay taxes to get away with it? It's the same as all of this security stuff, if you have done nothing wrong then you won't be on a no-fly list or have to worry. Same with this. Only people who might have to worry are those who owe a lot of tax money. This way they can't just up and take their money and not contribute to the country they are living in. W wanted to do this too but the problem was there were so many Republican tax cheats that the GOP didn't want to alienate them cause they were paying for their re-election. So is this taking away my freedom? NOPE. Yours? Nope, only if you don't pay taxes....
Bleedin Taxes Apr 12th 2012 4:54PM
Sure, that's what they want you to believe. Chasing deadbeat dads. Seems logical doesn't it? Step by step, inch by inch... You go so willingly...
gutarplair Apr 12th 2012 1:33PM
Put real average working men in congress who are intelligent enough to do the job, and poor enough to be honest about it.
Bets Apr 12th 2012 1:51PM
well JayLove, dispite your twisted thinking.
- My thoughts are just fine. - Do What Is NEEDED to Catch Those Who Are NOT Paying Their TAXES.
-- but removing obummer is Correct Thinking.
-- NO to obummer 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
usapaydirt Apr 12th 2012 2:11PM
More never ending Democrat Government Expansion, they are on a mission to own us......
usapaydirt Apr 12th 2012 2:09PM
Since there are already more than enough laws on the books to deal with tax dodgers, they should instead propose a bill which would require them to expunge an old law from the books for every new law they write, since presently there are more laws on the books that govern our lives than should be allowed.....
Bleedin Taxes Apr 12th 2012 4:46PM
Step by step, inch by inch, Obama and the libs take from us. They take our money and throw it away. They put half our people on welfare to keep them quiet and in control. They employ millions of people in bureaucratic shuffling jobs. They demand more and more information about our lives. They mount cameras on our streets. They send cameras into space to orbit us. Now they send drones to put us under magnification. They censor our words. They censor our media. They spy on our email. And now they want the IRS to take control of our movements. The IRS is already out of control as to the way they hammer at citizens without consequence. Once this bill passes it is just another inch until citizens will have to apply for a travel visa to go outside their own communities! Thats how the commies do it. Pull over buses and demand papers. Jerk people to jail under trumped up charges. And if you don't owe taxes they will be sure to hit you with records showing you do and it's up to you to prove otherwise! Obama's communist party! Be careful... very careful... Zimmerman is inciting race riots and what's next? Martial law and Obama cancels the november election, he becomes King of the USofA!!! Homeland security is training as we breathe...
Ray Apr 12th 2012 8:29PM
Remove Obama from your skreed and add "the feds" in it's place and you will have more credibility. The fence to keep illegals out and legals in is not an Obama inititive. The Patriot Act has bi-partisan support. You rail against communism/socialism while the left rails against the fascism of the right. Both factions are correct but will not come together to battler the oppression. Divided and conquered.