On May 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Holt’s Resolution calling for the United Nations Security Council not to accept the constitution, written by the Burmese military junta or to recognize the outcome of the May 10 constitutional referendum. The vote came after a devastating cyclone in Burma last weekend, in which tens of thousands of people were killed. There are reports of a slow response by the military regime to help the Burmese people. Watch Rep. Holt speak on the House floor about the tragedy and the resolution.

Rep. Rush Holt joins art students and teachers from Hopewell Valley Central High School (from left, art teacher Dr. Robert O’Boyle, students John Barrasso, Kristen Birdsey, Leif Baumbach, and Jackie Meyer and art teacher Marlene Hingstman) after the students won top awards at the Congressional Art Competition, which Holt hosted April 25 in Middletown. Nearly 80 art students from Central New Jersey submitted works for the annual competition. Birdsey won Best in Show and her work - “Reflections” - will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.

Rep. Rush Holt observes as Abdul Paiker, an IRS Tax Payer Assistant, helps Constance Dunne, of Monroe, NJ, fill out the 1040A tax form needed to receive an economic stimulus payment. Beginning in May, the Internal Revenue Service will send out checks, designated in the economic stimulus plan that Congress passed in February. More than 130 million Americans will receive stimulus payments. The IRS will determine eligibility and will address the checks using the 2007 income tax returns.
However, some retirees, veterans, and low-income workers – who do not pay federal income taxes and are not normally required to file an income tax return – will need to prepare the simple Form 1040A to be eligible for a $300 payment for individuals and $600 payment for married couples. Central NJ Residents can call 1-800-TAX-1040 for assistance in filing this form.