JACKSON, Wyo. — U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has a message for small business owners and employees during these difficult times: “Hang on, help is on the way.”
Speaking on the Senate floor Friday, Enzi highlighted a portion of the third package the Senate is working on in response to the COVID-19 crisis that would help small businesses stay afloat and provide ways for employers to keep their employees.
“The Senate is here and the Senate is working. We are trying to come up solutions that will keep America moving,” Enzi said
Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement Sunday. A slew of meetings followed after the GOP’s $1.6 trillion-plus emergency rescue package failed when Democrats denied Republicans the 60 votes needed. Democrats are arguing that the Republican proposal does not do enough to prioritize workers over corporations.
“For small businesses, this is disastrous,” Enzi said. “I often say that the definition of a small business is when the owner wakes up in the middle of the night and says, ‘Tomorrow is payroll. How am I going to make payroll?’ And believe you me, that happens to those small businessmen out there.”
Enzi said the latest package should help small business owners continue paying their employees as well as the things they need to pay for to maintain their business, such as rent, electricity and heating.
Sen. John Barrasso added, “We need to make sure when Americans wake up tomorrow, they don’t have the same fear about coronavirus and their family’s wellbeing. We need to take decisive action today. The time for politics is beyond us. We need to vote today, and we need to pass this legislation today.”
The GOP package also includes $1,200 in direct cash payments to individuals. Both sides hope to have the vote concluded today.
