March 23, 2020

An Update from NAW Government Relations Team - 3.23

The below update is from the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors.

IF EITHER OF YOUR U.S. SENATORS VOTED AGAINST THE EMERGENCY AID PACKAGE YESTERDAY, PLEASE CALL THEM NOW. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER VOTE AFTER NOON TODAY.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF THE SENATORS WHO VOTED “NO.”

Yesterday evening, the Senate voted on cloture on a “motion to proceed” to the emergency relief bill they were debating. This was a procedural vote necessary to close off debate on the measure so the Senate could move forward with the bill. Sixty votes were required to “invoke cloture” and start moving on the legislation.

That cloture vote failed. The vote was 47 to 47. Five Republican Senators are in self-quarantine, and EVERY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR VOTED AGAINST TAKING UP THE BILL.

The opponents falsely claim that the legislation is a “corporate bailout” and that it doesn’t do anything for workers and families. That is absolutely false. The bill includes direct payments of $1,200 to every adult and an additional $500 per child, expanded and extended unemployment insurance, etc. And there is NO “Wall Street bailout” or grants to corporations in the bill. There are loan programs for small businesses which maintain their payroll and a “sustainability fund” to which larger companies can apply for loans. Even the airline rescue package is in the form of loans, not grants.

Also, Congress already passed, and the President signed into law, an aid package focused entirely on individuals, workers and families – a bill that included mandated family and medical leave and sick leave – all of which Republican Senators were willing to vote for in this crisis.

WE ARE PROVIDING A LIST OF THE SENATORS WHO VOTED NO ON THE VOTE YESTERDAY.

IF YOU LIVE IN ANY OF THESE STATES, PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS IMMEDIATELY AND TELL THEM TO VOTE TO APPROVE THIS URGENTLY NEEDED PACKAGE.

Only a massive demand from constituents to act and act now can cause Congress to move before much more economic damage is done. It is imperative that you call right now.

Jade West, Chief Government Relations Officer

Blake Adam, Vice President-Government Relations

Seth Waugh, Associate Vice President-Government Relations

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