House seeks tax break for Haiti donations

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would allow taxpayers to write off donations to relief efforts in Haiti on their 2009 taxes.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., said he would introduce the legislation no later than early next week, The Hill reported.

A 7-magnitude earthquake ravaged the Caribbean nation Tuesday.

Clyburn also thanks President Barack Obama for the administration's response on Haiti during remarks at the end of a House Democrats retreat this week, the Washington publication said.

"I think all of us have been really overjoyed by the response by President Obama on behalf of the American people," Clyburn said.

Clyburn said he has consulted with Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., as well as Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., and the committee's ranking Republican, Dave Camp of Michigan.