(NewsNation) — Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler has blamed Democrats for bringing economic and small business growth to what she calls a “screeching halt.”
The government shutdown, which began October 1, is affecting federal workers, as well as many small businesses, according to the administrator.
“Democrats want to inflict pain to score political points, and that’s coming on the backs of small businesses, to the tune of about 320 small businesses every day now can’t get their loan,” Loeffler told NewsNation.
“That totals about $170 million that is blocked from going to Main Street. And so far here on Day 27, that’s upwards of $4 billion, it’s about 6,000 small businesses that have been left high and dry by Senate Democrats refusing to reopen the government,” she added.
US detains British Muslim commentator after revoking visa
Shutdown end in sight, Loeffler says
Loeffler believes there is an end in sight, in part due to service members’ pay potentially drying up at the end of October.
“Food stamps and WIC run out this very weekend. … It means almost 50 million families will go without the nutrition that they need, and that is just the beginning,” Loeffler said.
“The list of pain goes on, and it’s all playing out on Main Street. They are trying to stop President Trump’s agenda, and instead of trying to have a conversation, reopening the government and negotiating, they’re inflicting pain on the American people.”
Senate Democrats ‘shocking’ Loeffler
Loeffler added that some small businesses will have to close, and many will not be able to make up the lost income from the shutdown.
“Thousands of businesses, even in my own state of Georgia, thousands and thousands in one state, are not getting the revenue sources they need. … This isn’t revenue that can be made up. This is lost. It’s permanent damage,” she said.
Having previously served in the Senate, Loeffler offered advice for Democrats, believing the GOP is already acting adequately.
Nearly 400 weapons seized, father, son face smuggling charges: Feds
“I understand the politics of the moment, what I don’t understand is the willingness to inflict pain because each of these senators, certainly on the Senate Republican side, understands that they’re representing their communities back home and that’s why they have voted to get this government back open, to pay our military, to pay our workers and to ensure that the federal functions of government that they’re obligated to deliver are able to work,” Loeffler said.
“What’s shocking is that Senate Democrats have voted 12 times to shut the government, to not pay our military, to not pay workers, and so my advice to Senate Democrats — because it appears Senate Republicans don’t need this advice — is think about the folks back home.”
Why Loeffler donated to WH ballroom
The White House released a list of donors to the White House ballroom renovations Thursday, with Loeffler among the pledgers.
She explained to NewsNation why she decided to contribute and how meaningful it is for her to be involved.
“I’ve been a longtime supporter of the president, that’s for sure, and this is such a historic moment to be able to contribute to something that is going to serve generations in this country, and I’ve seen that this is the people’s house, the White House, and hopefully generations will enjoy it,” Loeffler said.
“So I’m very proud to donate to something that is so positive and historic for this nation,” she added.
