Federal Update - Tell Congress to Keep Workers Paid and Employed
Negotiations are ongoing in Washington, and action is expected later tonight.
The current Rubio bill now defines restaurants in the way that the IRA has been advocating for: 500 employees or less per location or legal entity.
Also included in the bill: $350B with broad bipartisan agreements, cash loans to small businesses & nonprofits at 500 employees or less, forgivable loans from existing local lenders if they show cash went to cover worker payroll + business expenses (rent, utilities, healthcare costs etc), and unemployment relief for laid off workers, now at $500B.
This is all thanks to your efforts!
As of this afternoon, IRA members have sent 10,000 messages to Congress to urge them to support the bill proposed by Senator Rubio. Thank you for your efforts!
Senator McConnell has delayed cloture until 6:00 p.m. (Eastern), which limits debate on the measure but ensures that members cannot filibuster. Senator Schumer has said that Democratic and GOP staffers are working to change some of the problematic provisions in the final bill, and he hopes a bipartisan agreement comes later tonight. Speaker Pelosi will be introducing the House Democratic bill, and hopes it will be compatible with the Senate version. Some issues for Democrats include stronger worker protections, weak buy-back restrictions, 2 year limit on executive compensation increase, airline loans, and more.
We are not done yet.
Please send another message
to urge Illinois Congressional leaders to pass a truly bipartisan small business relief plan.