TodayNews

Guest: Bruce de Torres
Director of Communications, American Small Business League & Don’t Cheat Woman Project

Small businesses, already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, are now facing another major challenge: a government shutdown driven by extreme partisanship in Washington D.C.

Bruce de Torres, Director of Communications for the American Small Business League (ASBL) and the Don’t Cheat Woman project, explains the dire situation:

“The government shutdown costs the U.S. economy roughly $7 to $9 billion per week, and every week it continues, that figure grows. The shutdown is directly hurting small businesses, which are 99.9% of all businesses in America. And whenever it ends, billions will continue to be lost in the U.S. economy for weeks—maybe months—until everything catches back up. Nothing justifies this. Everyone should tell Congress and the White House to solve this problem immediately.”

Political Gridlock at the Expense of Small Businesses

Five Senate Democrats must sign the continuing resolution to reopen the government, yet bipartisan cooperation seems out of reach. Recent elections have emboldened the political fringe, further polarizing Congress and the nation.

“During her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that 1/3 of small businesses had permanently shuttered during the pandemic. Those who survived COVID now face another shutdown due to political partisanship,” says de Torres.

Economic Impact of the Shutdown

The cost of government inaction is staggering:

• The U.S. economy loses $7–9 billion per week during a shutdown.

• The tourism industry alone has lost more than $4 billion, with losses increasing every day.

• Small businesses, the backbone of the American economy, continue to bear the brunt.

Labor unions and hundreds of tourism businesses have called for a clean continuing resolution, emphasizing that America’s travel economy cannot afford prolonged uncertainty.

Don’t Cheat Women & Supporting Women-Owned Small Businesses

Don’t Cheat Women, a project of the American Small Business League, advocates for economic and political equality for women, particularly in federal contracting. ASBL has also been at the forefront of exposing fraud in federal small business programs, winning over 100 Freedom of Information legal battles to protect the nation’s 34.7 million small businesses.

The Small Business Administration’s Made in America Manufacturing Initiative also supports small businesses striving to grow and compete in the federal marketplace.

About Bruce de Torres

Bruce de Torres is not only a communications leader but also an author and performer. His work spans the American Small Business League, the Don’t Cheat Women project, and authorship of GOD, SCHOOL, 9/11 AND JFK: The Lies That Are Killing Us and The Truth That Sets Us Free. As an actor, he has appeared in comedies, dramas, and musicals across the U.S., earning praise from The New York Times as “the funniest and most vocally gifted member” of his shows.

About the American Small Business League

The American Small Business League is the strongest voice protecting federal programs that assist small businesses. With a proven record in legal battles and media advocacy, ASBL ensures transparency and equality in federal contracting, helping small businesses compete fairly in an often challenging environment.

Learn more and support their work at ASBL.com

Call to Action:
Small businesses are the backbone of America. Share this post, contact your representatives, and support initiatives that protect and empower small business owners nationwide.