The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce welcomes the news that Congress has approved the new federal emergency relief package, and did so in a bipartisan manner.
The direct payments to families and the availability of additional unemployment funds are critical to those whose job status has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chamber also supports the significant assistance offered to small businesses in this package by way of cash infusions into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), tax deductions for businesses to cover expenses associated with PPP loans, and tax credits for employee retention. These measures will help businesses and employees weather the COVID-19 storm and help restore confidence in the economy.
However, we believe that confidence would be heightened if Congress considered and passed liability protection legislation for businesses, nonprofits and hospitals from COVID-19-related lawsuits. Business needs a safe harbor if we are going to experience a full economic recovery.
The N.J. Chamber also believes the investments this legislation makes in transportation infrastructure, broadband networks, education and medical support for the continued development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial to getting the national economy and New Jersey’s economy back on its feet.
The N.J. Chamber expresses its gratitude to the members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation for their advocacy of this legislation, especially Congressman Josh Gottheimer whose leadership helped ensure this legislation was met with bipartisan support.