[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 63 (Tuesday, March 31, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2020

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, the House considered the Coronavirus Aid, 
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. I would vote YEA on this 
important measure.
  As the coronavirus spreads throughout our country, the devastating 
impact of this pandemic becomes clearer each day. The bipartisan CARES 
Act makes an important down payment on needed economic relief for 
Americans and their families, especially in California. It provides 
critical cash assistance to people who need it. It grants crucial 
resources to small businesses, helps prevent layoffs, and delivers 
urgently needed funds to hospitals, schools, and local governments.
  This bill is huge, by any measure. It will provide critical 
assistance. I am proud of the tireless efforts by House Democrats to 
secure the best possible deal for working families, and proud that we 
can reach a bipartisan agreement.
  We simply cannot afford to declare victory, though. More will be 
needed. We're just beginning to understand the full scope of the 
impacts.
  This is the third relief bill Congress will pass related to the 
coronavirus outbreak, and while they have each been critical in helping 
us in this fight, we know they are just first steps. Many families, 
workers, small businesses, first responders, and health care 
professionals will need more assistance, and we are already working on 
additional help to address this unprecedented public health threat.
  The American people need and deserve a coordinated, fully-funded, 
whole-of-government response to keep them and their loved ones safe 
from the coronavirus epidemic, and to protect our economy. I will 
continue to work relentlessly to put families, workers, and small 
businesses first.

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