Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released the following statement after Goldman Sachs released a small business survey titled, “Sinking Lifeboats – Small Businesses Struggle to Stay Afloat While Awaiting Additional Federal Help.” 
 
“It is clear that partisan obstruction in Washington is hurting small businesses and their employees all across the country,” Chairman Rubio said. “We could have passed additional federal relief three months ago, but election year politics got in the way. There are no more excuses. Small businesses are shutting their doors. Employees are losing their jobs. Families are losing their livelihoods. House Democrats need to stop holding them hostage as they press for policies on their wishlist. Congress needs to stop playing partisan games and pass small business relief now.”
 
The survey details the tough choices small business owners are making while Congress fails to pass additional relief. Overall, the survey shows 28 percent say legislative uncertainty has caused them to consider closing their business and 42 percent have been forced to lay off employees or reduce compensation. The survey found that black businesses have been particularly challenged. Results show that 61 percent of black owners have forgone paying themselves as a result of congressional inactions and 49 percent have been forced to lay off or cut employee compensation.