NFIB was proud to host Vice President Mike Pence on a conference call with members on April 7th.
The Vice President provided an update on the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and its strong support for small business. He was joined on the call by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza.
“We are with you,” the Vice President declared. He praised the “extraordinary efforts” that NFIB members “are making to put the health of your employees, the health of your customers, of your communities, and your nation first.”
The actions and leadership of small business are “truly inspiring,” the Vice President said. He also said that small business is contributing to “glimmers of progress” in the fight against the coronavirus.
This call comes on the heels of NFIB calls and tele-townhalls with multiple U.S. Senators, Representatives, and Governors.
NFIB has worked with Vice President Pence for more than a decade, and previously partnered with him to advance pro-small-business legislation in Congress and as governor of Indiana. Vice President Pence addressed NFIB members during the 2017 Fly-In.
Citing NFIB research, Vice President Pence mentioned the challenges that small businesses are facing, including the fact that half of small firms can’t survive more than a month or two under current conditions. He promised that relief is on the way.
He pointed to President Trump’s signing of the CARES Act, which includes the Paycheck Protection Program and nearly $350 million in forgivable loans for small businesses. He also mentioned direct relief payments to individual taxpayers, saying that deposits would begin by the middle of April.
For NFIB Members: Find out how you can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Vice President Pence urged every NFIB member to send the federal government’s coronavirus guidelines to employees, families, and customers. He said that people will listen to small business, because “you are the respected voices in your communities.”
“The President and I admire your cooperation,” he said. “Thank you for what you’re doing for America.”
“These are very trying times,” Vice President Pence declared. But he said that with the continued support of small business, we will “hasten the day when we put coronavirus in the past and put America back to work.”
NFIB will continue to connect our members with officials leading the U.S. response to the pandemic. Please visit our coronavirus hub for frequent updates.
