U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked crucial funding to help strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. This unprecedented program has been providing relief to American small businesses and workers who have been negatively affected by the coronavirus crisis. Without additional funding, the Paycheck Protection Program could soon face lending shortages, potentially affecting those who have already applied for this important assistance and deterring those who are considering to apply.
“This couldn’t be clearer. Democrat leadership is standing in the way of providing crucial resources for a bipartisan program – one they actually support – that are needed today. The American people are over these partisan delay tactics, and I don’t blame them. I remain hopeful that Democrats see how important these funds are to workers and small businesses and will lift their unnecessary objection and save politics for another day.”