Political Quotes

“during the past couple of weeks, I have been talking to Montanans about their needs as we deal with this coronavirus. Healthcare officials tell me that folks on the frontlines need more masks, more protective equipment, and, quite frankly, this bill does not get that done. It helps, but it doesn't get it done. Small businesses and their employees are telling me that they need immediate access to relief. This bill doesn't do that because, quite frankly, we need more on the front end on bridge loans. Tax credits are great, but you have to be in business to be able to take advantage of those. Mayors and local city officials are worried that if they can't keep up with the mounting needs their communities are facing, this bill fails them. Tribal leaders across Montana have made it clear to me and to other folks in this body that they are largely and unfortunately ignored in the bill before us. This bill is nearly $2 trillion. One of the things it does do, and I know there are folks on the floor right now who disagree, but the fact is, massive corporations through that $500 billion slush fund, which, I might add, has very little, if any, transparency or accountability--it goes to those folks. Look, I think all of us agree that $2 trillion is a lot of money. It is all borrowed money, and if there is ever a time to borrow money, it is in economic times like these, but this needs to be a targeted, temporary support to keep our economy going.…”