Small Businesses Applaud House Passage of American Rescue Plan, Want Senate to Keep the Bill as Strong

On the House passage of the American Rescue Plan today, Main Street Alliance Government Affairs Director Didier Trinh had this to say:

“Passing the American Rescue Plan has given small businesses on their last legs hope that we can make it through this crisis. We urge swift passage, in full, by the Senate to get needed relief to those who need it most. 

There are many pieces of this critical, comprehensive plan centered on public health and economic recovery that are particularly important to small businesses.

Targeted small business grant support cannot come soon enough. Investment in programs that will not only directly support public health, but will also provide the financial runway to support communities through this crisis is key. 

An initial cash infusion with additional stimulus, as well as an extension and expansion of unemployment, and rent support is what working families urgently need. Small business customers and clients can finally plan through the drastic financial decisions they have had to make over the past year. Stabilization funds for child care centers will help the child care industry in crisis, as well as the millions of small business employees reliant on quality, affordable care.

The plan expands and extends tax credits to support small businesses to provide paid leave, a critical piece of small business COVID relief, but it is no substitute for a permanent, comprehensive, sustainable paid leave program. We must also begin work on legislation to support our long term economic recovery, including comprehensive paid leave.

Main Street Alliance and its members urge the Senate to swiftly pass the American Rescue Plan, and begin the work to get us beyond triage into rebuilding a more resilient and sustainable economy. It is time to invest in solving this crisis, and setting up our communities to thrive again.”