As early as today, the U.S. Senate could vote on monumental legislation to keep businesses in Florida, and across the country, from going under and stem the loss of jobs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Late yesterday, a procedural motion to move forward with consideration of this important legislation failed on a party line vote on the Senate floor. Citing the urgency with which Congress needed to act and get economic relief flowing, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged negotiations would continue into the night to address Democrat objections, and the Senate would endeavor to vote on Monday as planned. Speaker Pelosi, meanwhile suggested the House would author their own bill rather than wait to take up whatever the Senate passes. Markets reacted negatively upon news of negotiation’s apparent continued stalemate.
 
Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has been leading the effort to help ensure small businesses (up to 1,500 employees) are included in this larger Senate legislative package. Yesterday, on behalf of Florida Chamber members, I sent a letter to Senator Rubio putting our full support behind this $350 billion loan guaranty and assistance package, known as the Keeping Workers Paid and Employed Act , which is crucial to the economic survival of millions of businesses and their employees right now.
 
Florida now has 1,007 confirmed cases and 13 deaths, and we have cases in 44 of Florida’s 67 counties. That’s a 32 percent increase in cases in one day and it coincides with a 21 percent increase in testing.
 
To be certain, stopping the spread of this virus and its impact on Floridians remains our shared and foremost priority. In addition, as we address this unprecedented and constantly changing situation, we must be mindful that policies intended to protect human health and curb the pandemic do not also cause an even worse effect on the economy, jobs, and Florida’s future.
 
That’s why yesterday, I provided Governor Ron DeSantis with recommendations on the consistent designation of essential critical infrastructure workers. Based on the substantial and diversified input the Florida Chamber has received, we agree with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that we need a national standard of “essential services.” In a letter to Governor DeSantis, the Florida Chamber recommends, as a baseline, we consider the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers during COVID-19 response.
 
Thank you to the many Florida Chamber members who have stepped up to meet the rising health and safety needs of Floridians ( check out what Florida Chamber members are doing to help out ).  
 
This daily message is filled with resources, news and information to help Florida Chamber members navigate this unprecedented time. Please share our daily COVID-19 newsletter with others and ask them to sign-up for their personal copy.
 
My team and I are in constant contact with business and government leaders and what I’m seeing is nothing short of amazing. Together, we’ll get through this and we’ll be a more secure Florida when we emerge on the other side.


My Best,

Mark Wilson
President and CEO