Political Quotes

“I have listened to the presentations of my two colleagues, Senator Cassidy and Senator Menendez, and I could not agree with them more. We have an opportunity to solve a problem that is affecting each and every community in our country. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to devastate our public health and our economy, towns and cities across our country are facing increasingly significant new challenges and plummeting revenues at the exact same time. I urge my colleagues to be problem-solvers, to address this crisis as part of the relief package that is now being negotiated. We cannot wait. I have joined with Senators Menendez and Cassidy and others in this Chamber in introducing the SMART Act. It would provide much needed financial assistance to State and local governments while providing safeguards to prevent wasteful spending. It is a lifeline to our communities, just as the Paycheck Protection Program has been a lifeline to our small businesses and their employees. The consequences of local government shortfalls are dire. Without our providing them relief, communities face having to lay off essential employees and reduced services at the worst possible time for working families. What is their alternative? They cannot raise taxes. That would be the worst thing for them to do. Municipalities are already scaling back their budgets, furloughing workers, and postponing needed purchases and projects.…”