Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana wants Washington to do for state, parish, and municipal governments what it has been doing for individuals -- providing a safety net while the pandemic plays out.
The Louisiana Republican is working with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) on a bill to keep state and local governments out of bankruptcy.
"Just like we're providing support for individuals and families and small employers, can we also provide support for the cities that provide the essential services for them to be open," said Cassidy.
Congress has passed several bills to help people out during the pandemic, but Cassidy says local and state governments need help, too -- and without it, any attempt to restart the small business economy will be much harder.
"Imagine that small business," Cassidy posed. "A restaurant, trying to attract customers when the city is bankrupt and therefore cannot pay for sanitation, and because they cannot pay for sanitation, garbage builds up in front of the restaurant."
Cassidy said scenarios like that will keep customers away from entrepreneurs that need their business.
