U.S. citizens living outside the United States navigate barriers that most members of Congress are not aware of. These include limited access to banking services, complex tax burdens, and obstacles to voting and representation, all driven by U.S. federal laws and policies with unintended consequences. We know these issues well, but our representatives do not.
Now, Congress has a chance to not only understand our challenges, but to address them.
Last week, Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Chair of the Americans Abroad Caucus, reintroduced the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act (HR 8561). If passed, this bipartisan legislation would establish a formal commission to study the real challenges facing the millions of U.S. citizens living overseas and deliver recommendations to Congress.
This bill is not symbolic. It creates a pathway for Congress to fully understand how U.S. laws and policies affect Americans abroad and to begin fixing what is not working.
Join Democrats Abroad in calling on Congress to step up and support U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live.
Take Action Now
Call your representative and demand they co-sponsor the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act (HR 8561).
📞 U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121
(Tips on calling the U.S. from abroad.)
Call Script
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent who votes in [CITY/STATE].
I am calling to urge Representative [NAME] to co-sponsor the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act (HR 8561).
As a U.S. citizen living abroad, I experience firsthand how U.S. federal laws negatively impact Americans overseas. We face serious barriers, including banking access, taxation, and voting, thanks to the unintended consequences in those laws.
Representative Dina Titus has introduced a bill to create a commission to study and address our challenges.
I ask the Representative to support HR 8561. It would make a big difference to me and the many U.S. citizens abroad living in [STATE].
What Our Leaders are Saying
“All American citizens deserve representation, regardless of where they live.”
“The commission created by this legislation would help the federal government analyze the challenges of being away from home and help resolve them.”
— Rep. Dina Titus
Resources
- Titus Reintroduces Legislation to Help Citizens Overseas | U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus
- Text - H.R.8561 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): To establish a commission to study how Federal laws and policies affect United States citizens living in foreign countries.
- Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] |
- Co-sponsors: (as of May 4, 2026)