Senator Hassan Provides Update on COVID-19 Response to Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce

EXETER – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan today spoke to members of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce about the federal government’s COVID-19 response efforts and how she is working to support Granite State families and small businesses through this pandemic.

"In true Granite State fashion - in true Exeter and Seacoast fashion - the people in this Chamber and beyond are coming together to do everything they can to keep safe but also to keep our economy adjusting and going as best we can during an unprecedented time," Senator Hassan said. “The pandemic has created a level of stress on our businesses - the likes of which we haven't seen - and the resilience we're seeing is really critical to our response. I know you're working really hard to protect both workers and customers.”

Senator Hassan responded to questions on a variety of topics, including access to child care, the Paycheck Protection Program, expanded unemployment benefits, combating the substance misuse crisis, and how to prepare for a second wave of the virus.

In response to a question about what gives her hope, Senator Hassan said, “What gives me hope is the response of the vast majority of Granite Staters and the American people, because they are committed to making our country stronger and better.”

Senator Hassan is working to support small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, and recently voted to extend the deadline for small businesses and non-profits to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans and voted in favor of bipartisan legislation – which is now law – to give small employers more flexibility in using these federal funds. In April, Senator Hassan also voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to significantly bolster funding for programs that support small businesses, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Additionally, Senator Hassan recently joined a group of her colleagues in urging U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza to readjust regulatory requirements so that seasonal employers in New Hampshire and across the country can access the full amount of the Paycheck Protection Program loans for which they qualify.

###