Local health departments. Its also bolster our resources in the race to develop a vaccine, possible treatments or tests. It was a strong start, but weve known all along that he would just be the first step. As the scope of this virus continues to grow and challenge our country in new ways, we are working as quickly as possible to respond in real time. As we know, more and more americans are staying home and practicing a new term, a new phrase, social distancing, one that i really had not heard of before this virus. And while thats a sign of progress, in our fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus is handicapping millions of businesses and workers. As travel plans are abandoned, Public Events are canceled, and restaurants and shops are closing their doors, they are scaling back their operation. Many people are losing their jobs and their livelihood. Our recent poll found that nearly one in five american households have experienced a layoff or reduced work hours, and those who work in the service or Hospitality Industry are particularly hard hit. Think about the waiter at your Favorite Local restaurant, the person who cuts your hair, the individual who sweeps the isles after a basketball game, the housekeeper who cleans rooms at a hotel. They are among the millions of workers across the country who are trying to survive this new reality. Here in us and we are working as quickly as possible to support them. Yesterday we passed a bill to help individuals and families facing economic fallout from this outbreak. We improved paid sick leave for those impacted by the coronavirus and strengthen our Food Security for americans of all ages. We also made coronavirus testing three for all americans. No one should be afraid to get tested because of the cost. For all the benefits that this legislation would deliver, it doesnt address every problem. We knew that. We knew they would just be the second step in and, in a journey of undetermined length. Holding development another, we worked as quick as possible, to put that second phase into action and move on to phase three. Building on the first two steps that weve taken, its time to make bold moves to support our economy. We need to be sure it can survive this pandemic in the shortterm, and thrive in the long term. The American People are resilient. We have been through National Disasters like 9 11, the huge economic meltdown and Great Recession of 2008. But in my experience we have never had anything quite like the coronavirus pandemic. But the American People have always maintained their good attitudes and work through these crises, and come out stronger and better on the end. As i mention the ship our daily routines is having a serious impact on the businesses we are used to supporting everyday in our local communities. And sadly, those Small Businesses which employ about half of all u. S. Workers are among the hardest hit. And heres the thing. They bear no responsibility for the economic condition they find themselves in. This is something totally beyond their control. The restaurants, the hardware stores, the salons, the gyms, the countless other Small Businesses operated by our neighbors are facing tough decisions. Over the last couple of days ive talked about a number of my constituents, fellow texans, who are experiencing hardship. One whose revenue is down about 60 . One whose rotating her employees so each can at least get some work. One who is terrified that this could sink the business he has worked on for 25 years. As we continue working on this third phase of the coronavirus response, and recovery, my top priority is to support these Small Business owners and their employees who have been left with no way to collect a paycheck. No way to provide for the family, no way to provide for the necessities of life. Yesterday Senate Republicans that when trying to secretary mnuchin and discussed wideranging proposals to provide relief to workers and Small Businesses. One thing all agreed on we need to take immediate action to put money directly into the hands of these displaced workers. Work opportunities may be disappearing for some workers but the expenses dont go away. People need money to buy groceries, pay their bills, sy afloat. Until things normalize. There are ongoing discussions about the most efficient and most effective way to get money into the hands of those most negatively impacted, what i wanted to assure all texans that we are working as quickly as possible to find the best solution. The centerpiece of the phase three do will be that direct aid to American Workers have been displaced but it must also include additional actions to protect the integrity of our healthcare system. As more and more are being tested and diagnosed, our hospitals and Healthcare Providers need Additional Support so they can continue to serve patients. We are working to get our Healthcare Providers the resource and equipment they need to continue fighting this virus on the front lines. I i wanted to thank the majority leader senator mcconnell for publicly committing to keep the senate here in session and that we pass legislation that meets these high demands. A decision that i fully support. While the senate work contains under Many Americans are feeling some helplessness and uncertainty at a time when the best thing you can do may be, just stay at home. While Older Americans face a higher risk if they come into contact with the virus, every one of us has a role we can play in beating this virus. I want to reiterate remarks made earlier this week by dr. Deborah birx was correlating the White House Coronavirus task force. She continues to stressed the parts of millennials. One of the largest generation cohorts saying that this is the core group who will stop this virus. Because we all know some people feel bulletproof, and their life will be eternal. Many times they dont understand that theyre just as mortal as the rest of us. Because these younger individuals are at lower risk, from the virus, they think its fine to continue with their normal routines as long as they are not experiencing symptoms. But if they are infected they could still transmit the virus to others, especially the older more Vulnerable People in their community. Dr. Birx pointed out that we often talk about the greatest generation that is the world war ii generation of people like my mom and dad, those answer the call to serve and fought for our freedoms. But now is the time for the younger generation, the millennials, to answer a different call and take the necessary precautions to protect that greatest generation, which is among the most vulnerable. Im proud of the fact that when texas faces a crisis, its hurricanes or tornadoes that have devastated our state in recent years, texans come together and support one another. Another. But the truth is thats also how i would describe how americans react to an attack, whether its 9 11, the Great Recession of 2008, or now this coronavirus. This is not a time for us to engage in business as usual. This is time for us to come together in a new and very important but different way. Stay home, take this seriously, and we will get through t