The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) commends Representatives Filemon Vela (D-Texas-34) and Lance Gooden (R-Texas-05) for introducing the Small Business Comeback Act in July.
“This bill seeks to fill the gaps of previous legislation by providing immediate relief in the form of flexible grants to establishments in need,” said Vela.
“It improves upon the framework used in the Paycheck Protection Program because it is designed to provide freedom and flexibility to the businesses who were harmed by mandated closures,” said Gooden.
“We wanted to reduce restrictions on how they could use the money. We’re not helping anyone if we cover them in red tape and new regulations just as they’re trying to get back on their feet,” said Gooden.
As a member of America’s Recovery Fund Coalition, the AGD said it was proud to support this effort, which will create a recovery fund and give American businesses much needed stability as they recovery from the pandemic.
The AGD also has issued an action alert to all of its members requesting that they contact their congressional representative in support of the legislation.
“The Academy of General Dentistry represents 39,000 general dentists, each of which has their own unique story and deserves an equally tailored federal solution to ensure their doors remain open,” said Bruce Cassis, DDS, president-elect of the AGD.
“There are about 200,000 dentists in the United States working in various areas of the profession who have seen their practices and overall careers impacted due to COVID-19,” said Cassis.
“The Small Business Comeback Act will provide the funding relief our members need as they navigate a drastically altered business landscape,” he said.
We thank Representatives Vela and Gooden and call on Congress to pass the Small Business Comeback Act so that our economic recovery may truly begin,” he said.
Through a direct grant program with strong oversight and anti-corruption guardrails, the AGD said, the act will let businesses retain and rehire employees, provide benefits such as healthcare, pay rent as well as local and state taxes, and meet certain debt obligations.
This will allow businesses to weather the pandemic, keep American workers employed, and preserve the health and livelihoods of communities across the United States regardless of business structure or employment type, the AGD said.
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