Washington – Today, Business Roundtable issued the following statement on the next phase of COVID-19 legislation:
“Business Roundtable urges the House and Senate to come to agreement with the Administration on bipartisan legislation to strengthen the public health and economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With infection rates spiking across the country, continued economic hardship facing individuals, families and small and medium-sized businesses, and the disproportionate effect on communities of color, we call on Congress to act with a sense of urgency to resolve differences and negotiate solutions.
“Business Roundtable supports additional resources to alleviate the economic challenges millions of Americans are confronting and to address the impact of the health and economic crises on communities nationwide. These resources should include targeted aid to struggling individuals and families that offer relief while also encouraging a return to work. In addition, as companies of all sizes take critical measures to protect employees and customers, Congress should enact targeted protections against COVID-19-related liability.”
Last Tuesday, Business Roundtable sent a letter to congressional leaders outlining measures needed in Phase 4 legislation to ensure a safe and rapid recovery. The letter recommended that Congress provide resources to: support the public health response; protect jobs and livelihoods; lay the groundwork for recovery; and make additional investments in education and worker training, especially for minority families, communities and workers. The letter also urged Congress to support American jobs and communities through each stage of the recovery by keeping markets open, trade moving and supply chains resilient without imposing broad mandates that could undermine public health and recovery efforts.
The Roundtable cautioned that the country will not fully recover economically without safely reopening childcare facilities and schools. Finally, the letter noted, “failure to act quickly and boldly will prolong the crisis and impose high long-term costs on the economy.”