Rep. Andy Harris told Newsmax TV that schools should “absolutely” reopen this fall.
During a Wednesday appearance on Newsmax TV’s “National Report,” the Republican lawmaker from Maryland said he is a “strong advocate for opening up the schools five days a week.”
“Let’s go ahead and get those children back in schools,” he said.
He noted that his county recently announced that it will not reopen schools for the rest of the year and that he thinks that is a “wrong decision.”
He said students, especially ones from lower socio-economic homes, will fall behind with virtual learning because they don’t have access to computers.
Harris acknowledged that any staff or teachers who are “vulnerable” will have to be protected, but said that could be done when schools reopen.
“We should definitely reopen the schools,” he said.
In addition to getting kids back to school, he said he is pushing for ways to encourage Americans to go back to work in the next coronavirus stimulus package.
He said it is likely that there will be “some piece of legislation” ready within the next two weeks.
Democrats and Republicans have been divided over what elements should be included in the next relief bill.
Harris said he does not support providing another round of stimulus checks. Instead, he would prefer to provide a bonus for people who go back to work. House Democrats included another infusion of direct payments to Americans in its version of a new stimulus package.
“I think we should encourage employment,” he said.
To help working Americans, Harris said he would like to see a payroll tax cut to help give employees a bigger check. He also backs extending unemployment benefits, which are set to expire at the end of the month, “but at a much lower rate so that no one is getting paid more to not work than to work.”
Harris does want to see a liability protection included in the package.
“The small businesses need it,” he said.
The House also is scheduled to take up another bill that will determine whether Confederate statues in the Capitol will be removed.
Harris said he disagrees with the proposal.
“We can’t erase history,” he said. “We actually have to use history to teach us, to teach future generations.”
He said he would be OK with adding a plaque above statues to explain the historical significance and context, but removing the statues would be a “mistake.”
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