Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I am joined by several of my colleagues in introducing the Layoff Prevention Extension Act and the Preventing Layoffs During a Public Health Emergency Act. Both bills would renew Federal support for State short-time compensation--or work sharing--programs and provide assistance for States to adopt and improve existing programs in law. The latter bill would specifically activate financing for work sharing programs when there is a public health emergency. The coronavirus has officially reached a pandemic level, with an increasing impact on individual lives, communities, and businesses across the United States. Last week, I was pleased that the Senate voted on an overwhelming bipartisan basis to approve nearly $8 billion in supplemental funding for public health agencies to respond to this outbreak, but that was only the down payment. While Congress has taken initial steps to address coronavirus as a public health crisis and stop the spread of COVID-19, it is also important to support the workers, students, families, and businesses that are already being impacted as this outbreak ripples across the economy. In response to a reduced workforce due to workers that are ill, quarantined, or have new caregiving duties, companies that are losing business may need to lay off workers--even those that are healthy, if they are unable to keep their doors open.…”