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Keller praises efforts toward coronavirus

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, feels the federal stimulus programs rolled out to provide relief for businesses and individuals negatively impacted by COVID-19 have been of great help.

The Paycheck Protection Program, he said, has been especially beneficial for businesses to remain open and retain employees in the workplace.

Keller, speaking during a teleconference with the media Thursday, noted that 75,000 small businesses in the state have been helped by the Paycheck Protection Program.

Although some businesses experienced issues navigating the process, many others were approved quickly for the loans through the Small Business Administration.

Keller said many business owners are concerned mostly for their employees.

“That is why the Paycheck Protection Program has been a success,” he said. “Not that there haven’t been glitches, some things need to be looked at. We will take care of things.”

Keller said he thinks the Trump Administration has done an “extraordinary job” of leading the way toward getting federal funding out to the state.

He criticized what he called attempts by Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to use the coronavirus to politicize the issue and fund pet projects.

“Some folks want to create a new normal,” he said. “I want the old normal created by thoughtful, hardworking Americans. We should not be creating more uncertainties.”

He noted that the House was preparing to vote a coronavirus bill to boost small businesses, hospitals and testing.

Regarding Gov. Wolf’s latest plan to begin the process of lifting restriction in parts of the state, he said, “I think the General Assembly should be included in the governor’s decision, versus talking to governors from other states. We need to do it safely.”

What might work in Lycoming County, he noted, will not necessarily work in Philadelphia.

The freshman Congressman was asked to assess having to help tackle COVID-19 as a lawmaker after being elected to Congress just one year ago.

“I don’t think anyone in America expected to be challenged by this. It shows how everyone has reached out and cared for each other. Together we are going to get through it,” he said. “I am handling it well because people are handling it well. I don’t think I have any different stress level than before.”

The business at hand, he said, is helping businesses and people instead of playing politics.

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