HYDE-SMITH: SENATE DEMOCRATS FOUR-FOR-FOUR IN BLOCKING URGENT COVID-19 RELIEF
$500 Billion Targeted Relief for Health, Education, Small Businesses & Agriculture Again Spoiled
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today criticized ongoing Democratic opposition to passing a targeted COVID-19 relief package to provide urgent aid to the most pressing needs of small businesses, schools, the unemployed, and the healthcare system.
Senate Democrats for the fourth time since July blocked Senate debate on a targeted $500 billion bill to fund a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program, expand school safety protocols, and other priority needs for the nation to overcome the health and economic harm caused by the national health emergency.
“The Senate Democrats have racked up a perfect four-for-four record in terms of stopping the delivery of new COVID-19 relief. Unfortunately, their perfect record denies the citizens of my state and this great country the help they need,” Hyde-Smith said. “The funding and provisions in this package are noncontroversial, widely supported, and urgently needed. We are well past time to do what’s needed to responsibly provide targeted assistance where it’s needed now.”
The COVID-19 bill blocked today largely resembles similar legislation sunk by the Democrats in early September. Both measures provided important agricultural assistance that would benefit Mississippi, including $20 billion of additional farm assistance and $500 million in direct federal assistance for fisheries.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats also blocked a standalone measure to provide $257.64 billion to support the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and PPP Second Draw Loans.
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