[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP RECOVERY

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, the prevailing thought has been ``things 
will get worse before it gets better,'' and recently, it appears the 
``worse'' part is here.
  Necessary measures are being taken as we have learned more about this 
virus. We now have a new term: ``social distancing.''
  Small businesses, though, are suffering, and tourism, the economy in 
general. This outbreak is causing a lot of hurt.
  Now more than ever, it is important to support our local small 
businesses. They are the backbone of our economy and are experiencing a 
decline that we haven't seen in a long time from the recent coronavirus 
outbreak in their towns.
  Their failure will result in a much larger problem for a country that 
has proven to be quite resilient.
  The SBA is offering disaster assistance loans to small businesses 
impacted by the virus.
  The issue is to ease and cushion our economy so that, in a few weeks, 
we can start our bounce back. And, indeed, we will bounce back.
  Last week's measure will help our health providers. Hopefully, this 
week's economic package is not chock-full of socialist wish lists by 
the Democrats but is something that will actually be helpful to save 
lives and the economy and is affordable at the same time.
  I hope we can accomplish good work this week.

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