HARTFORD—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Saturday published an op-ed in the Hartford Courant encouraging people in Connecticut to support small businesses on Small Business Saturday, and renewed his call for Congress to pass a COVID-19 relief bill aimed at helping small businesses stay afloat ahead of a harsh winter season. The op-ed was inspired by a listening session Murphy held with small business owners in Connecticut as well as a small business walking tour in Middletown last week.

“Right now, small businesses across our state are hanging on for dear life, doing everything they can to keep their doors open and their employees on payroll. These businesses are cornerstones of our communities, and they keep our state’s economy running. This is no exaggeration –– over half of Connecticut workers are employed by small businesses,” Murphy wrote.

“…If I could have had it my way, Senate Republicans would have let us vote on the HEROES Act, which the House of Representatives passed over 180 days ago,” Murphy continued. “This comprehensive bill would increase the amount of forgivable loans available to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, send another $1,200 check to Americans, extend unemployment benefits, and provide states with the resources they need to contain this virus and prepare a massive vaccination campaign.”

“And while we have our work cut out for us in Washington, we can all do our part to support local stores here in Connecticut. Today is Small Business Saturday, a day where we celebrate, and spend money in, our small business retailers. So I encourage you to safely support a small business in your community,” Murphy added.

Murphy concluded: “The small businesses that power our economy need help right now. And that help can come from the government, in the form of a new stimulus bill, but it can also come from consumers, who decide to spend their dollars this holiday season at locally owned businesses. When it comes to supporting our local economy, we all have a role to play.”

Click here to read the op-ed in full.

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