Charles Rangel: “Mr. Speaker, I am glad to join my chairman in this bipartisan legislation to show support for our American soldiers, our…”

“Mr. Speaker, I am glad to join my chairman in this bipartisan legislation to show support for our American soldiers, our sailors, our airmen and marines involved in this Allied Force operation in the Kosovo area with this much needed tax relief. This legislation would at least relieve the stress of complying with competing deadlines, and the consequences, of course, of noncompliance for our servicemen, women, and their families. We will continue to support their efforts wherever our Armed Forces people are, and as the chairman has pointed out, President Clinton on April 12 announced his intention to issue an executive order designating this entire combat area as a combat zone, and we both agree that is a first good step. The bill also will extend certain tax benefits to military personnel not directly engaged in combat but who otherwise engage in this operation. In addition, certain support personnel, such as staff of the Red Cross who support military personnel in the combat zone, would receive some tax benefits. These provisions acknowledge this effort requires the participation of all to make it successful.”