A Week In
Washington DC


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OVERSEAS AMERICANS WEEK 2011


A delegation of American citizens living abroad participated in Overseas Americans Week in Washington DC April 11-15, 2011.

Delegates from three major overseas citizen advocacy organizations, AARO, ACA and FAWCO, once again met throughout the week with legislators, their staffers and key government agencies and departments.  OAW delegates met in particular with House Ways and Means Committee staffers that specifically deal with tax and banking problems for Americans living abroad. Other OAW delegates also met with the Passport Service in the State Department.

OAW's aim is to draw Washington’s attention to issues where current American law excludes, penalizes or denies access to overseas Americans. These issues involve Medicare, Social Security, Citizenship, Taxation and Access to US and foreign banking facilities.

The tax situation for Americans living overseas is summed up in a PowerPoint presentation called "Citizenship-Based Taxation: Realities, Consequences & Recommendations." Ten other one- and two-page position papers were prepared. Jonathan Lachowitz gave a speech about taxes during the House Ways and Means Committee staffer meeting.

OAW continues its collaboration with members of the Americans Abroad Caucus. This Caucus currently represents the only structure in Washington focusing on “overseas Americans” issues. OAW delegates invited House members to join the Americans Abroad Caucus, currently co-chaired by New York Representative Carolyn Maloney.

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The Overseas Americans Week program is organized by the following overseas American action groups:

Overseas Americans Week