Angie Craig: “Nearly 8 months ago, our lives changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With cases surging across the country…”

“Nearly 8 months ago, our lives changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With cases surging across the country and in Minnesota, the devastation to our small businesses is significantly increasing. Main Street businesses are the backbone of our local economies. They bring value to our communities and to our lives. We must act with urgency to support those most impacted by this pandemic. We have legislation to do this. My bill, the Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program, would allow small businesses with 100 or fewer employees who have sustained significant losses due to COVID-19 to receive a second PPP loan. In addition, we need to provide targeted assistance to specific industries. I have cosponsored the RESTAURANTS Act and Save our Stages Act, which would create grant programs so our restaurants and independent entertainment venues can survive these unprecedented and unpredictable times. I urge my colleagues to come together behind a bipartisan relief bill to protect our small businesses and local economies. ____________________”