Calling for Temporary Payroll Tax Holiday

Floor Speech

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Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank those Members who have joined me in standing with millions of struggling Americans by calling for the adoption of the Keep Employees' Earnings Protected Act, also known as the KEEP Act, and to encourage my colleagues who haven't done so to do so and stand with us.

As this body debates another relief package, a keystone of such legislation should be a temporary payroll tax holiday. I introduced this bill to allow our workers to keep more of the money that they have already earned, thus infusing critical capital into our economy without involving Federal bureaucracy.

It is now more critical than ever to ensure that families have the funds, their funds, to reinvest back into our economy and to continue our economic comeback by buying locally and supporting each other. Employers, too, can use their tax savings to invest in their businesses and in their workforces.

No government program, no matter how generous, can replace a strong, functioning economy. President Trump has called on Congress to deliver this bill to his desk for signature, and the time to deliver is now. The American people are waiting and watching. Holding China Accountable

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Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lend my voice to House efforts to hold China accountable for their role in the spread of the coronavirus.

China lied; Americans died. It is really that simple.

China's socialist government not only misled the international community in what they knew and when they knew it, but they also colluded with the World Health Organization to cover for them. China's irresponsible behavior led to a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought about death and economic mayhem across our planet. As the evidence mounts, China is now censoring those speaking out.

Congress must stand together, shoulder to shoulder, to ensure the Chinese Government is held responsible for the damage they have caused and to explore avenues to promptly bring manufacturing back to the U.S., including pharmaceuticals.

I also commend President Trump for pulling the United States out of the WHO until they, too, have been held accountable for their actions. Not a penny of taxpayer dollars should ever go toward international organizations that look the other way solely for political or economic interests, especially one that operates in the public health arena.

The time for answers is now. Honoring Sergeant Andrew Bosko

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Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Andrew Bosko, a Lakeland, Florida, World War II veteran who is 98 years young.

Andy was born in Ohio, raised in Pennsylvania, and is one of 13 children of immigrant parents from Austria and Czechoslovakia.

He entered the Army Air Corps in 1943, assigned to the Seventh Fighter Command in Hawaii. In 1945, the command was reassigned to Iwo Jima to provide emergency landing fields supporting bombing operations against Japan.

Meanwhile, Andy's wife and true love, Sophia, was supporting the war as a Rosie the Riveter. Yet, they still found time to write each other every single day.

Following the war, Andy worked as a machinist in New York and later participated in several other businesses.

Andy, you, together with your bride of 74 years, represent the greatest of our Greatest Generation.

They experienced economic and social turmoil and a world war, and then they helped rebuild our Nation into the greatest on Earth.

It is an honor to serve Andy, as he, for so many years, has served us. Reestablish Law and Order

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Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the House minority and Trump administration's efforts to reestablish law and order in our country and to stop mob rule.

For almost 2 months, communities throughout our country, particularly Democrat-led urban centers, have experienced levels of lawlessness and civil unrest unseen for decades. I am not referring to those who have exercised their First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble and protest. No. I am talking about those who vandalize, destroy, and knowingly break the law, stirring havoc and instilling fear into families and business owners.

From San Francisco to Portland, from Minneapolis to New York City and everywhere in between, we have seen the consequences of protecting the mob over innocent civilians. This cannot be, and it cannot continue.

Law and order must be brought back to our neighborhoods, and we must hold cities and their leaders accountable for failing to adequately protect those whom they have sworn to serve.

All Americans, regardless of ZIP Codes, have a right to feel safe in their homes and on their roads. Mob rule will not be tolerated. We must reestablish law and order in America, and we must do it now.

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