[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 63 (Tuesday, March 31, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E343-E344]
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. CHARLIE CRIST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2020

  Mr. CRIST. Mr. Speaker, I add my voice in support of the CARES Act.
  This sweeping, bipartisan legislation is the work of a Congress that 
soberly understands the gravity of the emergency facing our nation. It 
is only because Congress has set aside partisanship and disagreements 
that I am able to say, help, my friends, is on the way.
  For the 3.3 million who filed for unemployment last week and the 
millions more who have not yet been able to navigate states' 
overwhelmed unemployment servers, this new law will provide an 
additional $600 per week in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
  I fought for this $15 per hour living wage to give a hand to the 
servers, bartenders, and other tipped employees that are the backbone 
of Florida's tourism and services sector.
  The law provides a $1200 check to all Americans, including those on 
Social Security, who make less than $75,000.
  It includes a $100 billion ``Marshall Plan'' for our hospitals and 
public health system and $150 billion for states and tribes.
  It provides over $350 billion for small businesses on Main Street in 
grants, forgivable loans, and tax credits so they can make payroll and 
pay monthly bills to keep their businesses afloat.
  The new law provides 6 months relief for federal student loan 
payments, blocks evictions for 150 days, blocks foreclosures for 60 
days, and offers mortgage forbearance for up to 6 months--all penalty-
free. No interest, fees, or negative information on your credit report.
  This bill is neither perfect nor the last word. As this crisis 
unfolds and America rises to face unthinkable challenges, so too must 
their Representatives in Congress.
  We need more masks, protective equipment, and ventilators. And we 
need testing everywhere.
  We need more help for our cities like St. Petersburg, Clearwater, 
Largo, and Pinellas Park.
  We need to do more for essential employees--the grocery store 
checkers, truck drivers, farmers, sanitation workers, pharmacists, 
cooks, home care workers, and delivery workers that are enabling the 
rest of us to shelter-

[[Page E344]]

in-place and fight the spread. They deserve more than our thanks. They 
deserve child care, overtime, and hazard pay.
  Finally, but of the highest priority, we need to do all we can for 
doctors, nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers--those risking 
it all to save lives. They are the true heroes of this pandemic. 
Angels, not with wings but with masks and protective gowns. You have 
our undying gratitude.
  Never in any of our lifetimes has America stared down an enemy so 
insidious and so devastating. But we will answer this call of history 
with courage and resolve. We must.
  Be safe. Stay healthy. Stay home. And God bless. We will get through 
this. We're all in this together.

                          ____________________