On Wednesday, first-term Representative Anthony Brindisi (D, NY-22) took time to meet with small business owners from across New York State to hear their challenges and discuss his legislative priorities to assist small businesses during the pandemic and after.
Brindisi emphasized the continued need for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and is working to ensure businesses experiencing specific and continuing distress from COVID-19 are able to access additional funding after their initial loans have been exhausted. Protecting small businesses from frivolous lawsuits by enacting common sense liability protections for employers who are diligently following CDC and New York State issued COVID-19 workplace safety guidance is also high on the Congressman’s policy priorities he hopes will gain bipartisan traction as another federal COVID relief package is negotiated in Washington.
“Small businesses across Upstate New York are struggling because of this virus, and Congress needs to do more to get them the help they need,” said Congressman Brindisi. “We’ve passed bipartisan legislation to help save nearly 100,000 jobs in NY-22 alone, and I was grateful for the chance to hear from NFIB and Upstate small business owners about what they want to see in the next coronavirus relief package. I am committed to working with both parties to get our small businesses back on their feet.”
Like most aspects of life, COVID-19 has also changed advocacy and communication in 2020. NFIB’s annual Fly-In has also gone virtual, connecting hundreds of small businesses owners across the nation with critical information, resources, and more than 70 virtual meetings with members of Congress.
“Small businesses in New York and across the nation are at a crossroads. Never has it been more important for members of congress to hear directly from the small businesses and job creators in their communities. NFIB recognizes this and even with the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID, it remains an imperative to connect our members with their elected officials. Congressman Brindisi clearly recognizes the importance of small business across New York’s 22nd district and we thank him for his commitment to bipartisan problem solving on behalf of our members,” said Greg Biryla, NFIB’s New York State Director.
