The Bernie Buzz

As we all do our part to stay home to stop the spread of this disease, many businesses are struggling. They are forced to significantly change their operations or shut their doors completely during this crisis. The federal stimulus law provides relief to small businesses and nonprofits so that they may reopen their doors to the public when it is safe to do so. In Vermont, 96% of businesses are classified as small businesses, employing over 155,000 Vermonters in good-paying jobs. I know many in Vermont will agree that our small businesses support and sustain our communities — it is critically important that the federal government step up to support them.

The federal stimulus package was far from perfect. We must go much further — and I am fighting hard to make sure we do just that in the next round of federal assistance. But I’m proud that we succeeded in getting relief to the working families in this country who have just lost their jobs or seen reduced hours due to the COVID-19 crisis. The stimulus law will provide real help to millions — but we must make sure that we effectively implement its many programs and get the benefits in the hands of those who need it as quickly as possible.

I am holding a telephone town hall tonight with Governor Scott, Sen. Leahy, and Rep. Welch to discuss what’s being done on the state and federal level to combat this pandemic, and the necessary next steps to ensure we are helping Vermonters throughout this crisis.

Vermonters — please join me for a telephone town hall on the coronavirus this Thursday at 5 P.M. I will be joined by Governor Phil Scott and my fellow members of the Vermont delegation, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch.

The federal relief package that was passed last week is the largest in American history. As I’ve said before, I am proud that much needed relief is going to the working families of this country who are currently suffering due to this crisis. A major accomplishment of this law, while not enough, is the direct aid to individuals in the form of cash payments. To be clear, we must do more and I am continuing to fight in Washington to ensure that benefits are quickly made available to help the American people throughout this crisis.

The federal stimulus package goes a long way in providing relief to the working families of this country who are struggling during this unprecedented economic crisis. Let me be clear: this is not the bill I would have written. But, I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to prioritize workers and small businesses over billionaires and massive corporations. This new law provides a critical investment in our health care system, with a focus on providers and patients. It gives direct aid to states, many of which have already implemented strong measures to help their residents through this difficult time. And, importantly, it provides direct aid to individuals who are suffering. There is a lot more to be done and I’m not finished fighting for you.