As a Georgia native, I know that the Georgia Senate runoffs will affect far more than partisan control of Congress. It could also determine whether some working families and small-business owners retain their jobs and livelihoods in the months to come.

The Georgia General Assembly already passed a liability shield, the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, which provides substantial protections for businesses unless there is “gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm.” Georgia’s liability shield, though, is limited to state courts. Congress needs to act with its own liability shield to protect businesses, schools, and other establishments in federal courts.