Rep. Anthony Brindisi wants to see action on the next round of coronavirus relief aid. 

In September, Brindisi joined state and local government leaders in a bipartisan call to action to encourage other lawmakers in Washington to make a deal and pass COVID-19 relief aid. 

States, cities, school districts, and businesses could face deep budget cuts and closures if another round of coronavirus relief aid and funding isn’t allocated soon, according to Brindisi. 

“There is too much at stake to allow partisan politics and Washington gridlock to get in the way of doing the right thing,” Brindisi said in a statement. “We stand here today, united not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans and New Yorkers to tell Washington to get it together and pass a new relief package. Our schools, cities, counties, workers, families, small businesses, and communities need it.”

Reports indicate that the slight economic recovery the United States saw over the summer is beginning to falter. Many industries, from childcare providers to airlines, are struggling and face having to take drastic measures to stay afloat. 

The restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard throughout the pandemic, and could see massive closures when winter weather grips the nation. Many restaurants were able to keep their doors open when they got creative and offered more takeout and outdoor seating options, but in areas where colder temperatures will make eating outside impossible, like Brindisi’s district, restaurants may not be financially viable. 

“The hardworking people I represent don’t give a damn about the latest tweets from Republican or Democrat politicians,” said state Sen. Fred Akshar (R-NY) in a statement. “They care about being able to pay their bills on time. They care about ensuring their kids get a good education. They care about keeping food on the table. We don’t have time for political posturing. This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue, this is about the everyday lives of millions of New Yorkers.” 

Local governments at the state, county, and city levels are also hurting because of a steep loss of revenues this year. Without federal aid many localities will be facing large scale layoffs and cuts to services that residents rely on. 

“[Relief aid is] critical — Congress must pass a coronavirus relief bill that provides direct aid for states and localities,” said Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David in a statement. David is also the president of the New York Conference of Mayors. “This is about supporting the local governments that pay our police officers, firefighters and other essential personnel and have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis we did not create.”

For months Brindisi has been working to provide support for different industries in his district. 

“Communities across the Southern Tier are facing steep cuts,” Brindisi said. “We’ve demonstrated here today that this goes beyond party lines. Our communities, educators, law enforcement, and frontline heroes have sacrificed so much to get us this far in the pandemic, Washington needs to get this done.”