Former Navy SEAL Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) released a video message on social media Monday making the case in plain terms for the urgency of passing the emergency financial relief package that Senate Democrats “torpedoed” in the eleventh hour Sunday in order for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to present her own package packed with partisan agenda items unrelated to the crisis.
In a video filmed at a local restaurant in Atascocita, Texas, Crenshaw lays out the harsh economic reality of the situation many businesses face amid government-mandated lockdowns intended to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“I’m at a Texas BBQ joint that may not make it,” Crenshaw wrote in a tweet including the first of the two videos (below). “Democrats tanked the rescue package that would help them, and millions like them. Do not let them get away with this. Do not be silent.”
“So I’m here at the Tin Roof in Atascocita, Texas, just outside Houston, and this place is struggling. They might have to close down,” says Crenshaw. “This is the kind of business that would have access to an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan, that would then be forgiven for rent, utilities and payroll. That bill would’ve kept employees attached to their businesses.”
“We’re in a pandemic right now, which means we have to press pause on the economy,” he continues. “We’re asking businesses to close; we’re asking them to stop serving customers. If we’re going to ask them to do that, we have to give them the capital to survive during the pause in economic activity. We have to make sure they can keep paying employees and their rent. That’s what that bill was going to do.”
“For small businesses, those loans would just be forgiven. For big businesses, they would be loans,” he explains. “Democrats don’t like big business. Democrats I don’t think understand basic economics. They don’t understand that when your fellow American loses their job, it doesn’t matter if they are from a small business or a large business. Large businesses need capital. There was $500 billion that would to loanable to big business. Democrats hated that… Even though within the bill there were parameters in place: No increases for executive pay, no stock buy backs and keeping people on payroll. All of the protections were in there.”
“[O]ur economy needs it badly — it needs it badly,” the Texas Republican stresses. ” We’re shedding jobs like crazy. Businesses are closing today, and tomorrow, and the day after that.”
“This is no time for partisan politics, but that’s what the Democrats wanted to do. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve seen,” he continues. “Why are they doing it? What do they want in the bill? What’s their counter-negotiation? This is going to make you really upset.”
The congressman then lists some of the provisions in the House Democrats’ package including collective bargaining rights for federal workers, which he underscores, “has nothing to do with the coronavirus,” adding, “And by the way, federal workers are stilling getting paid, just like most government workers are.”
Another provision: “carbon emissions caps on the airlines if they’re going to ‘bail out’ the Airlines.” “Airlines didn’t do anything wrong,” says Crenshaw. “These are American companies. Your neighbors work there. They need help, they need capital fast.”
Other provisions include election law changes, which Crenshaw again notes has nothing to do with the current crisis.
“This is partisan politics at its worst,” he concludes. “Do not let these people get away with this. Hold them accountable. Call your representative’s offices now.”
Crenshaw’s video follows a series of posts by the Republican presenting information he said “everyone in America, Democrat and Republican, must read.”
Second half. pic.twitter.com/e1rkWbxokv
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) March 24, 2020