GMHC Applauds Congressman Rangel For Introducing Legislation To Address HIV In African American Communities

April 7, New York, NY -- This week, New York City Congressman Charles Rangel introduced historic legislation to combat the HIV epidemic in the United States. Rangel's legislation addresses the extreme racial disparities experienced by African Americans in the domestic HIV epidemic.

The legislation notes that nearly half of the over 1 million Americans living with HIV are black, and that blacks overall are 8 times more likely to acquire HIV than their white counterparts, and that black women are 23 times more likely than white women to acquire HIV. Additionally, the bill priorities two specific black populations that are in most need of targeted HIV prevention research -- men who have sex with men (MSM), and women.

"Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) congratulates Congressman Rangel on his leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at GMHC. "This landmark legislation will make significant strides in combating the epidemic by involving the faith-based community, addressing homophobia, and targeting critical federal resources to populations at disproportionate risk," added Hill.

In October 2007, Dr. Hill attended a two-day conclave of clergy and HIV experts which launched this legislative initiative. "I am grateful to Congressman Rangel for his ongoing leadership in the fight against AIDS, and proud of GMHC's partnership with the other participants in this meeting," concluded Hill.

The legislation, H.R. 1964, is titled the "National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act." [4/8/2009]

The House of Representatives today gave overwhelming bipartisan support to H.R. 1586, legislation written by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), to tax the bonuses of highly paid individuals at a rate of 90 percent if their employer received more than $5 billion in Federal capital injections under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).  The legislation passed the House by a vote of 328-93, drawing support from 85 Republican Members.

"This bill rights a wrong," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY).  "Most Americans believe a bonus is paid for a job well done.  The whole idea that a handful of people might receive bonuses at taxpayer expense for threatening our financial system and the very communities in which we live is simply repugnant.  It is not our job to tell the private sector what to do, but it is our job to say you're not rewarding greed at taxpayer expense.  

"The buck stops here and this bill sends a clear signal -- a red light -- showing that this abuse must stop and the IRS will enforce the law," said Chairman Rangel.  "We are not trying to punish anybody, but rewards should be subjective and you don't reward greed with taxpayer money.  I am so pleased this bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and I hope the Senate will follow suit."

The 90 percent income tax on bonuses contained in H.R. 1586 only applies to taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $250,000 per year.  It affects bonuses received on or after January 1, 2009.  Any individual who received a bonus from a qualifying company who repays the bonus during the same tax year it was given would not be subject to the 90 percent rate.