Senate Republicans Re-refer COVID-19 Relief Legislation
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Today, Republican members of the Senate Commerce Committee voted to Re-refer SB 64 in a partisan 3-2 vote, with an intention of laying the bill on the table when it comes before the full Senate. SB 64, prime sponsored by Senator Becky Whitley (D-Concord), would have extended the provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for COVID-19 related reasons to employees of businesses with 15 or more employees.
After the vote, prime sponsor Becky Whitley (D-Concord) issued the following statement:
“SB 64 would have provided immediate relief to working families meet the demands of work and family in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With today’s vote, Republicans are shirking their responsibility to constituents and delaying much-needed relief to working families in New Hampshire,” stated Senator Becky Whitley (D-Concord). “COVID-19 has placed unprecedented burdens on working families across the state and this bill would have provided critical job protection at no cost to employers. This proposal comes at no cost to employers, and is not paid leave, and supports the public health measures critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19. It would have been a win-win for families and small businesses, who are looking to us now more than ever for help. It is truly unfortunate that this pro-family, pro-business legislation is falling by the wayside because of partisan politics.”
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