Dean Phillips: “It has been 2 years, image that, since the beginning of the pandemic. Two years marked by hardship that none of us had…”

“It has been 2 years, image that, since the beginning of the pandemic. Two years marked by hardship that none of us had ever known and hope we never know again. As the world continues to adapt to the challenge, it is my belief that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, as we continue to push toward that optimism, we are reminded every single day that the pandemic is not over. It is not over for us; it is not over for the nurses and doctors who tend to our sick; it is not over for our frontline workers, for teachers, for police, for families, for anyone. I am here today to speak for a group of Americans who are too often ignored in our pandemic discourse, our Nation's entrepreneurs and small business owners, the bedrock of our economy, particularly those who work in public-facing enterprises, like restaurant owners, gym owners, hospitality owners in the live-events industry. Those whose livelihoods depend on public gathering in person, whether it is to break bread, to work up a sweat, or to enjoy booths that you might see in the Minnesota State Fair, as my friend and colleague, Angie Craig, would agree is America's finest. In 2020 and early last year, both parties worked together to pass pandemic aid to help keep the lights on at those businesses. It was an aid that was effective in saving countless jobs, and while not perfect, of course, it did save our country from economic disaster.…”